Rendering of Mexico Pavilion

Through the skillful color renderings, Mexican architects have designed a brilliant “Kite Forest” for the Mexico Pavilion, showcasing the Mexican prospect for future urban life and creating a radiant sky with Mexican flavor.

Green Grass, Radiating Confidence in Green Restoration

Upon seeing the rendering of the Mexico Pavilion for the first time, one cannot help feeling enchanted by the wonderful colors. On a vast green slope, colorful kites fly in the sky, forming a “Kite Forest”.

How did this unique pavilion design come into being? As soon as we met Edgar Ramirez and Israel Alvarez, two of the designers of Mexico Pavilion, we asked them and our all of our pavilion design questions were answered.

Edgar Ramirez told us, “With the continuous urban expansion, we are loosing more and more green land and public space, to such an extent that this has become one of the main urban problems”.

As a result, their architecture firm, named “SLOT”, rather than focusing on creating eye-catching architecture, has chosen to return to nature, and to present the most natural state of a city. The eye-catching architectures, according to them, are not essential to the concept of a comfortable city.

Interior rendering of Mexico Pavilion

Kites, Dancing in the “SLOT”

The name of the firm, “SLOT”, means “a narrow opening or slit”. According to the architects of the firm, the fun part of architectural design comes from the challenge of “creating wonders out of a limited space”, or, to put it another way, “dancing in the SLOT”.

“We are all eager to bring our international experience to Mexico and to create something nice for the country.” The “Kite”, one of the highlights of Mexico Pavilion, is one of these nice things they have created. As kites originated in China, they would be a common element that unites Mexican and Chinese cultures, representing the idea of flight and development.

Expo 2010: How did you incorporate the theme of Mexico Pavilion “Living Better” into your design?

Architects: In the first place, we adopted two important elements to interpret the theme: the green color, and the kite. Green, the major color for future urban construction, promotes the concepts of a balanced ecology, environment protection and the pursuit of peace. Kites symbolize development and freedom. These two elements are very effective in conveying future prospects. In the second place, we will display the city life over different periods of time in Mexico in the exhibition hall. With these elements, we’ll be able to present our pavilion theme thoroughly.

Expo 2010: Could you introduce the exhibition project of Mexico Pavilion?

Architects: The Pavilion is divided into three parts. The first part, located at the base of the pavilion, is a hall showing the Mexican people’s life in history. The second part, located at the entrance of the pavilion, is the “modern Mexico” hall. The third part, is the heart of the pavilion—an outdoor square covered with grass that shows the future city life in Mexico. We’re still working on the details of the pavilion design and trying to bring it to perfection.

Expo 2010: How long does it take to visit the Mexico Pavilion?

Architects: There are two choices: a quick visit takes only 12 minutes, and a more careful visit takes about 30 minutes. The time for meals is not counted, of course.

Rendering of Mexico Pavilion at night

Expo 2010: What do you hope that Mexico Pavilion can bring to people?

Architects: Upon entering the Mexico Pavilion, visitors will embark on a chronological journey from the pre-history era to the future. This journey will help them learn more about Mexico’s history, culture and its dreams for the future.

Expo 2010: Are kites popular in Mexico? What are the features of Mexican kites?

Architects: Kites are also a traditional toy in Mexico. They symbolize our hope for the future, for our children and for the country. In the exhibition hall, there will be a special area for kite display. Visitors can either buy or make kites on the spot and then fly them on the kite square atop the exhibition hall. We want to bring the traditional things back to our modern life and hope they will become popular once again. Kites originated in China. Therefore, flying kites at the Mexico Pavilion also symbolizes the cultural exchange between China and Mexico.

Expo 2010: What are some other eye-catching Mexican elements in the pavilion?

Architects: We’ll set up a large-screen video display system, stage a hi-tech display and provide some interactive programs. Visitors will smell the delicious food from the Mexican restaurant which offers traditional Mexican cuisine, as well as the well-known Mexican chiles. There will also be a shop for traditional Mexican handicrafts and books. Visitors can walk around and choose what they like.