Nestled within the grounds of Casa Wabi and almost hidden amid the lush vegetation lies the Guayacan Pavilion. Designed by the renowned architecture firm Ambrosi I Etchegaray, this pavilion forms an oasis of sustainability and elegance. It symbolizes an effort to nurture and protect the endangered Guaiacum coulteri, colloquially known as Guayacán, a species of tree indigenous to the region.
Guayacan Pavilion Technical Information
- Architects: Ambrosi | Etchegaray
- Location: San Isidro Llano Grande, Oaxaca, Mexico
- Topics: Landscape Architecture
- Project Year: 2018
- Photographs: © Jaime Navarro
The Guayacan Pavilion by Ambrosi I Etchegaray is more than a mere architectural structure; it’s a testament to the power of innovation and compassion. Blending contemporary aesthetics with a profound respect for nature, it stands as a beacon of what modern architecture can achieve when it aligns with the values of environmental stewardship.
Guayacan Pavilion Photographs
The Wabi-Sabi Architecture
The journey began when the Casa Wabi Foundation discovered sprouts of the endangered Guayacán. They decided to take immediate action by creating a nursery dedicated to its care and reproduction. Collaborating with the Unidad de Manejo Ambiental (UMA), Casa Wabi has been able to foster a sanctuary where the architecture itself becomes a means for expressing nature’s offerings.
The Pabellón Guayacan represents an architectural embodiment of wabi-sabi – a concept that cherishes the beauty in imperfection and the natural cycle of growth and decay. The minimal use of materials accentuates the inherent characteristics of Guayacán. Over time, the structure is envisaged to blend and become one with its natural surroundings.
Visitors and workers are encouraged to descend along paths beneath the ground level. This unique design allows closer interaction with the trees, enabling the experience of temperature changes, the humidity of the environment, the flow of air, and the relationship between species and underground water.
Aesthetic, Environment, and Care
Beyond the aesthetics of brick, windows, and gardens, the pavilion opens up with a grand shade that serves as an entrance threshold and a resting place. It’s here that the elements of sun, water, and air manifest, inviting us to observe the Guayacán up close.
Walking through the seedbeds arranged over work tables shaped from excavation remnants, one can sense the architects’ ethics in environmental care and respect for the workers. The tables reduce the physical effort in planting and caring for new trees, enabling a more ergonomic work environment.
The Pabellón Guayacan doesn’t only provide an aesthetic and mystic ambiance but also emphasizes the importance of caring for our Earth. It illustrates a commitment to harmonize architecture with the natural world, all the while preserving a piece of our planet’s biodiversity.
The Guayacan Pavilion by Ambrosi I Etchegaray is more than a mere architectural structure; it’s a testament to the power of innovation and compassion. Blending contemporary aesthetics with a profound respect for nature, it stands as a beacon of what modern architecture can achieve when it aligns with the values of environmental stewardship.
Whether by the quiet rustling of the leaves or the serene ambiance of the garden, the Pavilion whispers to those who listen: everything is changing, and we must transition between life’s dichotomies, appreciating the beauty in the impermanence of existence. It’s a message that resonates not just within the confines of its walls but transcends to become a universal lesson in humility, responsibility, and grace.
Guayacan Pavilion Plans
Guayacan Pavilion Image Gallery
About Ambrosi | Etchegaray
Ambrosi | Etchegaray is a renowned architectural firm founded by Jorge Ambrosi and Gabriela Etchegaray, based in Mexico City. Known for their minimalist aesthetic and thoughtful integration with the environment, their work often emphasizes simplicity, functionality, and a deep connection to the natural landscape. Their projects, including the notable Pabellón Guayacan, reflect a commitment to material integrity and spatial relationships, creating structures that transcend mere function to engage with their surroundings in meaningful ways.
