Local architecture firm Lanza Atelier has unveiled a striking circular pavilion in the plaza of a renowned Mexico City shopping center, featuring a distinctive wooden platform that surrounds a central reflecting pool. The eight-meter-tall structure, named A10 Pavilion, was constructed directly on top of an existing fountain in the plaza of El Palacio de Hierro, located in Mexico City's affluent Polanco neighborhood.
The impressive commercial center that houses the pavilion was originally designed by Mexican architecture firm Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos in 2014, serving as one of several locations for the historic department store throughout the city. Notably, across the street stands the yellow-roofed modernist Church and Parish of San Ignacio de Loyola, which was also designed by the same architectural firm but dates back to the 1960s.
Lanza Atelier collaborated with curator Ana Elena Mallet to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of El Palacio de Hierro's presence in Polanco. The design team conceptualized the pavilion as a smaller interpretation of a "palacio de hierro" or "palace of iron," creating a celebratory architectural gesture that would also serve the local community with practical functionality.
The most striking feature of the circular structure is its cladding of galvanized chains through which water constantly drips. This innovative design element, combined with the reflective qualities of the steel material, gives the pavilion what the studio describes as a "dynamic, living quality." More than 1,500 sparkling, water-covered chains shroud the structure, creating a mesmerizing visual effect while partially concealing the exposed steel framework beneath.
The design philosophy emphasized both celebration and accessibility to the surrounding neighborhood. According to Lanza Atelier, the pavilion is "highly permeable, allowing passersby to glimpse inside, while inviting visitors to ascend to a viewing platform 4.5 meters above ground." From this elevated vantage point, visitors can enjoy new perspectives of the surrounding cityscape and experience a close relationship with nearby treetops and their seasonal blossoms.
Drawing inspiration from Mexico City's numerous public fountains, the studio incorporated a reflecting pool at the center of the pavilion, positioned directly above the permanent fountain. The pool is surrounded by a circular wooden bench, providing seating for visitors. The water in the reflecting pool appears distinctly black due to the specialized cladding of the pool's interior, creating a dramatic visual contrast with the metallic chains above.
Water drips into the central pool from four strategic points in the circular awning that crowns the pavilion, serving as a deliberate reference to the four primary fountains found throughout Mexico City. This water circulation system creates a continuous sensory experience that combines visual and auditory elements throughout the structure.
To provide visitors with an elevated viewing experience, a walkway accessible via steel stairs wraps halfway up the structure. The pavilion's steel legs and structural elements remain largely exposed, giving the installation a contemporary, industrial appearance that speaks to modern architectural sensibilities while maintaining functionality.
According to the studio, the project aimed to celebrate the confluence of city life and water through the creation of a "meditative space" open to the public. "We proposed creating a contemplative space open to the public, positioned directly above this fountain, which would itself function as a large fountain," explained Lanza Atelier. "The pavilion – an exploration of water and the city – also enriches the public space of the neighborhood."
The installation includes an additional community-focused element: a small coffee cart fabricated from found materials by local studio Ex-Soup, known for their sustainable approach to furniture design using recycled materials. This addition further emphasizes the pavilion's role as a social gathering space for the local community.
The A10 Pavilion was on display from October 7 to November 6 in Mexico City, serving as both an architectural landmark and a functional public space. The project represents a successful collaboration between local design talent and community-focused urban planning, demonstrating how temporary installations can enhance public spaces while celebrating significant milestones for local businesses and institutions.
