Pool Pavilion by Naso in Hidalgo, Mexico

The Pool Pavilion, designed by Naso in 2023, is one of three carefully crafted architectural interventions within a vast 75,000 m² landscape project in Hidalgo, Mexico. Conceived as a space of leisure and contemplation, the pavilion merges architecture, nature, and water to create a harmonious retreat immersed in the surrounding environment.

Concept and Design Approach

At the core of the design lies a spatial composition based on five interconnected elements: the fountain, habitable wall, portico, pool, and ha-ha. These elements are carefully aligned in parallel, generating rhythm, order, and flow throughout the pavilion while establishing a subtle dialogue with the natural setting.

Fountain and Entrance Sequence

The fountain functions as a focal point, anchoring the pavilion’s lobby. Surrounded by lush vegetation, it enhances the arrival experience, guiding visitors inward. The approach is marked by a stone habitable wall that establishes both enclosure and mystery by obscuring direct views toward the pool. This spatial threshold creates a sense of privacy and anticipation.

Habitable Wall

The stone habitable wall integrates essential functions such as bathrooms and storage areas. These spaces open onto small-scale patios, where natural light and ventilation softly filter through. The materiality of stone creates a tactile connection to the land, blending the architectural intervention seamlessly with its context.

Portico and Terrace

A concrete portico frames the central leisure zone. Acting as a covered terrace, it becomes the heart of social interaction and relaxation. The portico connects interior and exterior life, blurring boundaries while offering panoramic views of the surrounding Mexican landscape.

Pool and Ha-Ha

The pool sits between the portico and the ha-ha—a sunken wall designed to restrict physical access without interrupting sightlines. This subtle landscape device maintains uninterrupted views across the terrain, creating a layered visual connection between the pool, pavilion, and distant livestock areas.

The tension between pool and ha-ha orchestrates contrasting spatial sensations: openness and enclosure, leisure and boundary, immersion and perspective. The interplay of water, stone, and greenery offers a dynamic yet contemplative experience for visitors.

The Pool Pavilion by Naso is not just a recreational structure—it is a landscape-integrated architectural experience. Through its careful choreography of elements, it redefines the relationship between built form, water, and the natural environment, offering a space where privacy, openness, and visual continuity coexist.

All Photographs are works of José Ignacio Vargas