Marina Tabassum is one of South Asia’s most acclaimed architects. Her practice, Marina Tabassum Architects (MTA), is known for buildings that are raw and innovative, rooted in context and rich in meaning. Based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, her work includes the Bait Ur Rouf Jame Mosque, the Hamidur Rahman Memorial Complex and Villa Rouf – projects that have deservedly brought her international acclaim.

All of which makes this summer’s Serpentine Pavilion a puzzling disappointment. ACapsule in Time, as the pavilion is titled, feels underwhelming. A certain slightness or open-endedness can often be a strength in a temporary structure, inviting reflection. But here, the effect feels more tentative than deliberate – a surprisingly muted offering from such a highly regarded architect.

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