032 Solitude

The Portal of Solitude is a threshold that questions its own function. It offers neither satisfaction nor drama before or after passing through. It is a transition that traps those who cross it. Here, the only way out is inward.

The structure stands 6.8 meters tall. It is composed of ordinary construction materials—concrete blocks and steel rods, for instance. We preserved their raw material condition so they can be resold after the pavilion’s life cycle, reducing its cost to nearly zero. The concrete blocks, standing 2.25 meters tall, form a heavy but porous base. Above it rests an ethereal cloud woven from steel rods, inspired by the “Rods of Hope,” which connect signaling flags. In contrast, the upper part is light but inaccessible. Altogether, the pavilion temporarily occupies 23.2 m² of the pedestrian path in the Alameda Central.

In the early days of the Alameda Central, walls and gateways were fundamental elements. They signified segregation and control. Today, the park is presented without physical barriers, yet cultural and social conditions highlight an invisible wall. We believe the status quo demands an investigation of the portal archetype.

We question the portal by introducing a secluded occupation. The portal houses four unique chambers. The entrances to each only allow one person through at a time. This choreographed interaction, combined with the height of the block wall, evokes *The Labyrinth of Solitude* by Octavio Paz.

Although the pavilion suggests traces of pre-Hispanic architecture, the portal makes no claim about any specific Mexican identity. We hope the intimate niches can overcome the fixation with identity. The search for identity is a form of entrapment. Only by escaping identity can we achieve freedom. That is why the chambers invite voluntary solitude. We are truly ourselves only when we are alone.