Archipelago Pavilion – Author Houses in the Forest by Alarcia Ferrer Arquitectos

 Architects: Alarcia Ferrer Arquitectos 

The Archipelago Pavilion is a striking architectural intervention within the lush forest of Estancia La Paz, conceived by Alarcia Ferrer Arquitectos as part of a visionary project that unites twelve contemporary houses designed by twelve architecture studios. More than a building, the pavilion is a flexible exhibition and sales space designed to showcase innovative residential concepts—each reimagining ways of living in harmony with nature.

A Neutral Yet Expressive Architectural Canvas

Responding to the need for a neutral yet engaging venue to present architectural models and project displays, the pavilion’s design offers adaptability and timelessness. Its open-plan configuration can seamlessly evolve to accommodate diverse functions—from a sales gallery to a cultural or social hub—ensuring long-term relevance within the estate’s development.

Strategically sited between the historic Estancia La Paz (now a boutique hotel), the golf course bar, and the scenic lakeside promenade, the pavilion acts as a spatial connector and visual landmark. Its position ensures high visibility and accessibility for visitors navigating the estate.

Triangular Geometry and Multi-Directional Access

The forest site dictated a triangular floor plan with three equally significant entrances, eliminating the concept of a singular “main façade.” Each opening creates hierarchical circulation paths, allowing visitors to enter from multiple directions and reinforcing the pavilion’s non-hierarchical, inclusive design philosophy.

Sliding Walls and Environmental Integration

One of the pavilion’s defining features is its three nine-meter-long sliding walls, which can either completely enclose the space for privacy or open it entirely to the surrounding landscape. This kinetic design transforms the pavilion from a discreet, closed volume into an immersive, permeable structure that dissolves into the forest.

When open, the sliding panels align with the trees, encouraging fluid movement and visual transparency. When closed, their burnt wood cladding and reflective glazed surfaces create a sculptural presence, recalling the monumental land artworks of Richard Serra’s “Sight Point” or Robert Smithson’s “Spiral Jetty.”

Materiality and Construction

The pavilion’s dry construction system utilizes black-painted metal tube framing for speed and precision. Shou Sugi Ban–inspired burnt wood cladding offers a deep, textured façade that blends with the forest’s tones, while enhancing durability.

Inside, stone flooring and precisely crafted timber furniture serve as refined stages for architectural models. The restrained interior palette highlights the tactile qualities of natural materials, allowing the surrounding landscape to remain the dominant visual experience.

An Object in the Landscape

Whether functioning as a closed sculptural object or an open landscape pavilion, the Archipelago Pavilion stands as both a practical space for architectural promotion and a poetic intervention that strengthens the connection between built form and natural environment. It reflects a contemporary architectural narrative—one that values flexibility, material honesty, and deep integration with place.

All photographs are works of Javier Agustín Rojas