For the first time since the annual program was founded, Serpentine Galleries will not host the 2020 Serpentine Pavilion designed by Johannesburg-based practice Counterspace this summer. The commission has now been extended into a two-year endeavor in which the practice will collaborate with the Serpentine on a series of off-site and online research projects through the rest of this year. The culmination of this new project will resolve with the opening of the Pavilion in the summer of 2021.

Sir David Adjaye, a Serpentine Galleries trustee and Serpentine Pavilion Advisor said, "The global COVID-19 crisis has changed the immediate context. Rather than rush to execute Counterspace's stellar design as soon as it is safe to do so, the Serpentine has chosen to accept the slowness reshaping society today and utilize it to develop a deeper relationship with the architects."

Sumayya Vally of Counterspace said, "COVID-19 has brought the Pavilion themes of community and gathering sharply into focus - allowing us the opportunity to extend and deepen our engagement process over two years."

The Serpentine's public program of live performances, discussion, food, and family engagement in the Pavilion, as well as the annual fundraiser, will all move to 2021 as well.