marina tabassum on designing the 2025 serpentine pavilion as it opens in london
ahead of the public opening on june 6th, the architect speaks with designboom about the themes of impermanence, tactility, and light that shape 'a capsule in time'.
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Marina Tabassum
Marina Tabassum Architects (MTA) is a Dhaka-based practice founded in 2005 by Marina Tabassum. Known for climate-responsive, place-rooted design, the studio combines architecture and research to address environmental challenges and support low-income communities. MTA’s work has gained global recognition, including the Aga Khan Award for the Bait-ur-Rouf Mosque.
competitions 
2026 Tokyo Design Awards Season #2 deadline: october 15th, 2026 Re:Form - New Life for Old Spaces Edition #3 $ 11,618.00 USD deadline: october 12th, 2026 The Oak Moon Pavilion $ 9,120.00 USD deadline: march 1st, 2027 New York High Falls Riverfront Market $ 10,000.00 USD deadline: january 18th, 2027 L A M P International Lighting Design Competition deadline: october 15th, 2026 Museum of Emotions #9 $ 9,140.00 USD deadline: february 22nd, 2027 2026 Rome Design Awards Season 2 deadline: december 10th, 2026 2026 London Design Awards Season 2 deadline: december 17th, 2026 Indigo Design Award 2027 deadline: september 30th, 2026 Kinderspace: Architecture for Children's Development competition / Edition #4 $ 11,773.00 USD deadline: november 30th, 2026 all competitions
2026 Tokyo Design Awards Season #2 deadline: october 15th, 2026 
Re:Form - New Life for Old Spaces Edition #3 $ 11,618.00 USD deadline: october 12th, 2026 
The Oak Moon Pavilion $ 9,120.00 USD deadline: march 1st, 2027 
New York High Falls Riverfront Market $ 10,000.00 USD deadline: january 18th, 2027 
L A M P International Lighting Design Competition deadline: october 15th, 2026 
Museum of Emotions #9 $ 9,140.00 USD deadline: february 22nd, 2027 
2026 Rome Design Awards Season 2 deadline: december 10th, 2026 
2026 London Design Awards Season 2 deadline: december 17th, 2026 
Indigo Design Award 2027 deadline: september 30th, 2026 
Kinderspace: Architecture for Children's Development competition / Edition #4 $ 11,773.00 USD deadline: november 30th, 2026 courses Master’s in Fashion Business by IED deadline: september 30th, 2026 Master's in Fashion Creative Direction by IED deadline: september 30th, 2026 Interaction Design. Emerging technologies for products and services by IED Torino deadline: september 30th, 2026 Material Balance Design. Digital Techniques and Circular Innovations in Architecture at Politecnico di Milano deadline: march 10th, 2026 Master’s in Brand Design and Hospitality by IED deadline: september 30th, 2026 Master of Arts in Design for Other Species: Transdisciplinary Practices Towards More-than-Human Futures IED Milano deadline: september 30th, 2026 Interior and Furniture Design by IED Firenze deadline: september 30th, 2026 Master's in Fashion Business Innovation by IED deadline: september 30th, 2026 Sustainable Architectural Design Program by My Archischool deadline: december 31st, 2026 Master’s in Digital Arts & Creative Technologies by IED deadline: september 30th, 2026 all courses
Master’s in Fashion Business by IED deadline: september 30th, 2026 
Master's in Fashion Creative Direction by IED deadline: september 30th, 2026 
Interaction Design. Emerging technologies for products and services by IED Torino deadline: september 30th, 2026 
Material Balance Design. Digital Techniques and Circular Innovations in Architecture at Politecnico di Milano deadline: march 10th, 2026 
Master’s in Brand Design and Hospitality by IED deadline: september 30th, 2026 
Master of Arts in Design for Other Species: Transdisciplinary Practices Towards More-than-Human Futures IED Milano deadline: september 30th, 2026 
Interior and Furniture Design by IED Firenze deadline: september 30th, 2026 
Master's in Fashion Business Innovation by IED deadline: september 30th, 2026 
Sustainable Architectural Design Program by My Archischool deadline: december 31st, 2026 
Master’s in Digital Arts & Creative Technologies by IED deadline: september 30th, 2026 
