School Cafeteria Pavilion
Architects: Juan Tohme, Leonardo Valdivieso
Clients: Private
This proposal was developed as part of a public competition for a school cafeteria pavilion within an educational campus in Quito, Ecuador. Conceived as a lightweight and open structure, the pavilion seeks to operate not only as a functional dining space, but also as a social and environmental mediator within the school grounds.
The project is based on a lightweight metallic system, chosen for its constructive efficiency, adaptability, and minimal impact on the site. Rather than imposing a closed volume, the pavilion is designed as a permeable architectural device that fosters visual continuity, natural ventilation, and a close relationship with the surrounding landscape.
At ground level, the pavilion prioritizes transparency. A system of slender steel columns and open façades allows the cafeteria to extend visually and spatially into the courtyard, transforming the act of eating into a collective, outdoor-oriented experience. This openness reinforces the pavilion’s role as a communal space, encouraging interaction, flexibility, and informal occupation throughout the school day.
In contrast, the upper plane is conceived as a translucent roof, filtering natural light while providing protection from sun and rain—key climatic considerations in Quito. The roof becomes a soft architectural element, diffusing daylight evenly across the interior and creating a comfortable, shaded environment without sacrificing luminosity.
The pavilion is carefully positioned among existing trees, allowing vegetation to pass through and around the structure. This strategy strengthens the dialogue between architecture and nature, reinforcing the idea of the cafeteria as an extension of the school’s open spaces rather than an enclosed object.
Through its material clarity, structural lightness, and environmental responsiveness, the project proposes an architecture that is both didactic and civic—one that demonstrates how simple systems, when precisely articulated, can generate generous, inclusive, and sustainable public spaces within an educational context.
Project Type
Competition
Date
2023
Location
Quito, Ecuador
Photos
Leonardo Valdivieso