For the mexican people, the ‘Plaza de la Constitución’ is a square loaded with historical connotations and has always served as a space for celebration, meeting, and expression. It’s characteristics make it an ideal venue for an international fair such as the FICA. It is a space which already functions as a canvas where the populations activities develop. What elements can or should one propose to enrich the experience without thwarting it? How does one intervene a square with this hierarchy and create shelter without affecting its inherent nature as a plaza? The most obvious answer considering the solar incidence on the site, is through shade.
The design proposes vertical rather than horizontal elements to create shade so as not to ‘put a roof’ on an urban space whose defining characteristic is to be open towards the sky.
We took advantage of the existing grid of steel anchor points to weave a system of columns and cables which we use to hang mesh banners. In doing this, the dense but delicate flow of people remains practically undisturbed.
Central to the project, the CDMX Pavilion becomes an articulating element to the system. Visually, the cables culminate in this circular pavilion.
