Mirrored Acrylic Skin Dissolves Cube Pavilion into Surroundings in Mexico
The Sfumato pavilion uses reflective panels to dematerialize a permanent architectural landmark in Guadalajara.
1Winning Architectural Intervention
The Sfumato pavilion, designed by the Mexican practice Errre Taller, emerged as the winning proposal for the inaugural Pabellón MEM competition. Located at the ITESO architecture complex in Guadalajara, the project reinterprets the existing Cubo MEM sculptural landmark. It challenges traditional architectural presence by attempting to make a physical structure visually imperceptible.
2Reflective Material Strategy
The exterior envelope consists of 3 mm mirror-finish acrylic panels that wrap around the original 6.40 by 6.40-meter footprint. To ensure surface continuity, the team utilized standard 1.22 by 2.44-meter sheets alongside 76 cm cut sections. This specific configuration maximizes material efficiency while maintaining a seamless, monolithic appearance across all four elevations.
3Structural Assembly Techniques
The installation relies on a light-gauge metal stud-and-track framing system, which is further supported by an interior wooden sub-structure. This assembly is fixed directly to the original PTR steel frame of the cube. Workers secured the acrylic panels using a combination of double-sided tape and silicone to ensure a clean, fastener-free finish.
4Discreet Access Design
To preserve the illusion of a solid, monolithic volume, the design team integrated a single access portal into the structure. This entrance is positioned on the west face, which is considered the least prominent side of the pavilion. This strategic placement minimizes visual disruption, allowing the reflective skin to maintain its continuous, mirror-like facade.
5Internal Spatial Experience
Beyond its exterior aesthetic, the pavilion functions as an open-air chamber designed for skyward observation. The interior cavity provides a quiet space for contemplation, where the shifting solar angles track the passage of time. Internal shadow patterns change throughout the day, offering a dynamic experience that contrasts with the static exterior appearance.
6Paradox of Architectural Presence
Sfumato serves as an investigation into the paradox of architectural presence through disappearance. By cloaking the physical structure in reflective surfaces, the project blurs the distinction between the built object and its natural surroundings. This intervention forces observers to reconsider the relationship between permanent landmarks and their immediate environmental context through visual dematerialization.
7Design Team Collaboration
The project was executed by the architecture practice Errre Taller, led by a design team including Humberto Espinoza, Jessica Corona, and Fernando Hernández. Their collaborative effort focused on reinterpreting the Cubo MEM landmark. The team successfully balanced the technical requirements of the light-gauge metal framing with the aesthetic demands of the reflective acrylic skin.
8Contextual Significance
This temporary pavilion highlights how material choices can fundamentally alter the perception of space within an established academic complex. By utilizing temporary reflective cladding, the intervention demonstrates a method for temporarily transforming permanent landmarks. The project remains a notable example of how architectural interventions can engage with existing footprints to create new experiences.