Herzog & de Meuron and Ai Weiwei’s Sparkling 2012 Serpentine Gallery Pavilion Opens Today!

The much-awaited <a title="Sparkling Serpentine Gallery Pavilion by Herzog &amp; de Meuron and Ai Weiwei To Open Tomorrow!" href="http://www.serpentinegallery.org/2012/02/serpentine_gallery_pavilion_2012.html" target="_blank">2012 Serpentine Gallery Pavilion</a> by <a title="Sparkling Serpentine Gallery Pavilion by Herzog &amp; de Meuron and Ai Weiwei To Open Tomorrow!" href="http://www.herzogdemeuron.com/index.html" target="_blank">Herzog &amp; de Meuron</a> and <a title="Sparkling Serpentine Gallery Pavilion by Herzog &amp; de Meuron and Ai Weiwei To Open Tomorrow!" href="http://aiweiwei.com/" target="_blank">Ai Weiwei</a> opened today in London, marking the start of summer in London. The beautiful pavilion consists of a round canopy topped with a sparkling pool of rainwater that is suspended just above the ground. While the 2012 Serpentine Gallery Pavilion may be out of your reach in London's Hyde Park, you can get still get a first look here!

<a title="Sparkling Serpentine Gallery Pavilion by Herzog &amp; de Meuron and Ai Weiwei To Open Tomorrow!" href="http://inhabitat.com/herzog-de-meuron-and-ai-weiwei-unveil-first-images-of-the-2012-serpentine-gallery-pavilion/" target="_blank">Herzog &amp; de Meuron and Ai Weiwei</a> sought to 'uncover' the past <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/serpentine-gallery/">Serpentine Gallery Pavilions</a> by taking visitors underground.

13 columns, each representing a previous architectural piece (including this year's), lift the structure just above the ground and support the water-filled roof.

Right underneath the Serpentine's lawn, visitors will discover a brown maze-like space made entirely out of renewable <a title="Sparkling Serpentine Gallery Pavilion by Herzog &amp; de Meuron and Ai Weiwei To Open Tomorrow!" href="http://inhabitat.com/delightful-cork-pinha-lamp-can-be-customized-in-a-snap/" target="_blank">cork</a> that represents the soil.

The new sparkling <a title="Sparkling Serpentine Gallery Pavilion by Herzog &amp; de Meuron and Ai Weiwei To Open Tomorrow!" href="http://inhabitat.com/nube-verde-will-bloom-into-lush-outdoor-pavilion-where-the-elderly-can-find-harmony-with-nature/" target="_blank">pavilion</a> will be an oasis for relaxation this summer, providing an events venue and an artistic shelter from the sun. 

 The use of cork underground also gives the space great acoustics, a rubbery tactile texture, and the distinct yet pleasant aroma of Quercus Suber (cork oak) bark.

A homage to the Serpentine's 12-year old Pavilion program, Herzog &amp; de Meuron and Weiwei's inspired design is one to be discovered.