The pavilion is located in the port physical boundary between the city and the Paraná River, the importance that its waters have in the historical context makes the river landscape and the image of the boats that cross are key to the formal and conceptual articulation of the proposal.

In order to relate the visitor with the Parana River landscape, the pavilion stands as an urban reference device. A construction using duality as a working tool: rio-city, inside-out, covered-discovered, protected-exposed. It also seeks to become, fleetingly, in binding element between river and city, transversely, and connecting piece that appropriates the elements of the site (the warehouses and the open square), lengthwise, coming to complete the skyline interrupted in the place reserved for the welcoming pavilion.

Drawing on local boat building techniques, the visitor is received in a space defined by cables, ropes and sails. Once wrapped by the play of shadows reflected on the floor, the movement of the structure directs the flow towards spaces for meeting, sharing, exhibit, resting, socializing and information in general. The use of space ship deck reference and idea management blowing candles adds a poetic value space, which is well defined in a functional and sensory form. Thus, the inherited values of the place are present, offering an innovative reading of the context, revealing specific qualities that were hidden to the senses of the inhabitants.



International Competition | Temporary Pavilion IX BIAU Rosario 2014  |  Project Finalist 

Design Team

Architects | Aliz Mena + Rocio Carvajo

Civil engineers | Bernardo Dorbessan + Ruben Mena

Rosario, Argentina | 2014