The use of 95m³ of concrete foundations to support part of the Serpentine Gallery’s annual pavilion has provoked a backlash among architects for its environmental impact.
The gallery's artistic director, Hans Ulrich Obrist, pledged last year to place ecology at the heart of its work, but critics say using so much concrete - a major contributor to CO2 emissions - "calls into question the sincerity of that pledge".
This year’s pavilion was meant to be built in 2020 but was postponed due to the pandemic. Criticisms of its green credentials have been rebutted by engineering consultants AECOM, who insist the structure has many sustainable attributes.
Recycled primary steelwork, reclaimed cork and a sustainably-sourced lightweight timber substrate all form part of the structure, but AECOM says some concrete is needed to ensure public safety over the five months of the installation.