Digitally Fabricated Plywood Pavilion Creates Shaded Refuge in Mexico
PASO NARA curved timber pavilion designed by ISAD students in Chihuahua
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- PASO NARA is positioned within a former vehicular zone in Chihuahua, Mexico.
- The design adapts the spatial logic of traditional Rarámuri skirts.
- Built entirely from curved plywood panels fabricated via 3-axis CNC milling.
- Developed as part of the 2026 Taller del Desierto educational program at ISAD.
Positioned within an area in Chihuahua, Mexico, that was formerly dedicated to vehicular traffic and is now integrated into the pedestrian network, the PASO NARA pavilion stands out with its distinct conical form and curved timber envelope. The canopy successfully establishes a shaded interior retreat while featuring an opening at its apex that frames the sky above, directing visual attention upward and connecting the enclosed environment to the surrounding urban context.
The underlying geometry of the pavilion draws inspiration from the spatial principles of traditional Rarámuri skirts, focusing on their environmental performance rather than a direct visual reproduction. The structure expands in width toward the ground level to maximize shade, while narrowing at the top to concentrate daylight and frame the sky. Additionally, a color gradient across the timber surface directly references the shifting hues of the Chihuahua desert during sunrise and sunset.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Constructed entirely from curved plywood panels, the enclosure leverages the innate flexibility of the material to form a continuous, lightweight shell. The structural framework relies on mechanical timber joints utilizing gravity, compression, and wooden wedges, successfully minimizing the need for conventional metal fasteners. Each component was digitally fabricated through direct three-axis CNC milling from digital models, achieving the precision required for seamless assembly without any on-site modifications.
The PASO NARA project highlights the potential of temporary architecture in modern urban planning by merging digital fabrication techniques with local cultural inspirations. By utilizing automated CNC cutting and mechanical wood joints, the design reduces reliance on heavy hardware while maximizing sustainability. Furthermore, its demountable nature demonstrates how digitally fabricated timber systems can be efficiently adapted, transported, and reassembled across different locations.
PASO NARA forms an integral part of the 2026 Taller del Desierto educational program at the Instituto Superior de Arquitectura y Diseño (ISAD), an intensive design-build workshop led by advisors Daniel Romero Valencia, Mauricio Rey Villarreal, and Juan Castillo Cruz, alongside project coordinator Alexis Pereda Chávez, working in close collaboration with students. Photographic documentation for the project was provided by Alexis Pereda and Santiago Ruiz.
Source: designboom
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