PASO NARA: Digitally Fabricated Plywood Pavilion Opens in Chihuahua's Plaza de Armas
In Chihuahua's Plaza de Armas, Mexico, a temporary structure called PASO NARA has been erected at the intersection of Avenida Independencia and Calle Victoria. This pavilion, crafted by students from the Instituto Superior de Arquitectura y Diseño (ISAD), offers shade along a heavily trafficked pedestrian path. Its conical form is enveloped in curved timber, drawing inspiration from the traditional skirts of the Rarámuri people, and showcases a color gradient that mirrors the hues of the Chihuahua desert at dawn and dusk. Built from curved plywood panels with mechanical joints to reduce the use of metal fasteners, it is prefabricated and can be easily relocated. PASO NARA is part of ISAD's 2026 Taller del Desierto initiative, guided by advisors Daniel Romero Valencia, Mauricio Rey Villarreal, and Juan Castillo Cruz, with project coordinator Alexis Pereda Chánez and a group of 23 students.
Key facts
- PASO NARA is a temporary pavilion located at the intersection of Avenida Independencia and Calle Victoria in Chihuahua's Plaza de Armas.
- The pavilion was developed as a student project at the Instituto Superior de Arquitectura y Diseño (ISAD).
- The structure is conical with a curved timber envelope, widening toward the ground to increase shaded area.
- The geometry draws on the spatial logic of traditional Rarámuri skirts.
- A color gradient on the timber surface references the Chihuahua desert's sunrise and sunset tones.
- The pavilion is constructed from curved plywood panels, digitally fabricated via three-axis CNC milling.
- Mechanical timber joints using gravity, compression, and wooden wedges reduce the need for metal fasteners.
- PASO NARA is prefabricated and demountable, allowing for disassembly, transport, and reconstruction.
- The project is part of the 2026 Taller del Desierto educational program at ISAD.
- Advisors include Daniel Romero Valencia, Mauricio Rey Villarreal, and Juan Castillo Cruz; project coordinator is Alexis Pereda Chánez.
- The pavilion frames views of the Chihuahua Metropolitan Cathedral.
- Photographers: Alexis Pereda and Santiago Ruiz.
Entities
Artists
- Daniel Romero Valencia
- Mauricio Rey Villarreal
- Juan Castillo Cruz
- Alexis Pereda Chánez
- Francisco Granillo de la Rocha
- Abril Ávila Hernández
- Alan Meléndez Peña
- Alejandro Gardea Arana
- Leonardo Cervantes Unzueta
- Magdalena Sapién Martínez
- Loreta Toledo López
- Ana Guzmán Cabello
- Ximena Rodríguez Soto
- Luis Meneses Piña
- Karla Mendoza Alvídrez
- Jimena Cárdenas Torres
- Mariana Jiménez Gutiérrez
- Sebastián Acosta Rangel
- Rogelio Ramos Licón
- Natalia Cárdenas Heras
- Fernanda Quezada Cherlín
- Salma Rivas González
- Héctor del Castillo Gómez
- Edgar Gallegos Araiza
- Gabriela Prieto Chávez
- Luis Moreno Nevárez
- Emilio Beltrán Hernández
- Santiago Ruiz
Institutions
- Instituto Superior de Arquitectura y Diseño (ISAD)
- Taller del Desierto
- designboom
Locations
- Chihuahua
- Mexico
- Plaza de Armas
- Avenida Independencia
- Calle Victoria
- Chihuahua Metropolitan Cathedral