Artist sinks teeth into Serpentine pavilion

Olafur Eliasson, the artist who created the giant sun in Tate Modern four years ago, is working with architect Kjetil Thorsen to build the pavilion, in the shape of a spinning top. The annual tradition of a temporary pavilion beside the gallery began in 2000 and this is the biggest yet.

Between July and October visitors will be able to climb a wide, spiralling ramp to a viewing floor.

Eliasson, a Danish-Icelandic artist who is based in Berlin, said: "I'm very interested in spatial experimentation but I am not an architect so it is very exciting to be involved in a project on the outskirts of my main activity."

The artist said he wanted to marry the building to its content by creating a space where visitors could walk and talk. He will also be closely involved in the programme of talks, debates and social events the pavilion will host in the evenings. It will be used as a cafè during the day.

Julia Peyton-Jones, the Serpentine's director, said she loved Eliasson's design. "One of the things that is interesting is how the boundaries now blur between artists who are very well informed about architecture as well as architects who engage in art."

Construction of the pavilion starts next month.