zero-energy biodiversity classroom shows yin and yang of cultivation 

this biodiversity classroom in oaxaca, mexico, titled the ‘orchid education pavilion,’ allows visitors to watch the fragile system take root and grow from every vantage. architects FGP atelier felt transparency was key to the project’s success, not only for educational purposes, but also for the plant life and soil which require sunlight. now that it is complete, the structure serves as an example of how humanity, technology and nature can grow sustainably together.  

all images by FGP atelier

the structure, which forms part of oaxaca’s ethnobotanical gardens, naturally regulates the temperature though a sophisticated solar heating system, and retrieves cold air from underground. likewise, rainwater is collected and distributed accordingly. producing a natural growth cycle with scientific precision, the ‘orchid education pavilion’ demonstrates the yin and yang of cultivation, which sustains our human existence.

as clear as the see-through panels, is FGP atelier’s attempt to occupy as little of the plot as possible. that’s essentially the whole point of the project, but, needless to say, the building doesn’t use destructive or pervasive building methods and can fairly easily be relocated if the need arises. in total, the project occupies only 100 square meters (1,076 sqf). furthermore, the pavilion was almost entirely constructed by local craftsmen, who made the various custom pieces and assembled them by hand on site.

project info:

project name: orchid educational pavilion
architect’s firm: FGP atelier
project location: oaxaca, mexico
completion year: 2017
gross built area (square meters or square foot): 100 sqm
lead architects: fracisco gonzalez pulido
other participants: werner sobek (werner sobek engineers), mathias schuler (trans solar)
photography: FGP atelier