20 PORTALS PAVILION
National Heroes’ Square, Bridgetown, Barbados
I'm honored to share that my design “20 Portals” was selected as the winning entry for the CARIFESTA XV Pavilion Competition in Bridgetown, Barbados!
The project celebrates Caribbean unity through a circular structure of twenty timber portals, each representing a CARICOM member state. Designed as a space for gathering, storytelling, and cultural exchange, the pavilion draws inspiration from chattel houses and reinterpreted colonial forms to reflect a more inclusive and resilient future.
“20 Portals” is a circular pavilion that celebrates the shared identity and cultural richness of the Caribbean. Inspired by chattel houses and Georgian architecture, the design reinterprets these traditional forms into a vibrant, contemporary civic stage.
The pavilion consists of 20 timber-framed portals, each representing a CARICOM member or associate state. These operable panels create multiple entry points, symbolizing openness, equality, and unity in diversity. The circular form invites movement, gathering, and exchange from all directions.
The operable façade enables a fluid balance of enclosure and openness. With all portals open, the structure becomes fully permeable and welcoming. When closed, the shutters provide shelter from the tropical climate and help block noise, supporting events like lectures or performances in a more intimate setting.
Built from locally sourced timber such as casuarina or reclaimed wood, the pavilion is climate-responsive and grounded in regional craft. Wooden screens and a raised platform reference vernacular construction while promoting passive ventilation and cooling.
