San Diego, United States - August 14, 2024

The World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024 (WDC 2024) and the City of San Diego officially unveiled the “EXCHANGE Pavilion” on Wednesday, August 14 at the San Diego Museum of Art.The temporary Design Structure “EXCHANGE Pavilion” in Balboa Park Reimages “No-Man's Land” at Border. This radical structure, designed to be experienced from the inside and out, highlights WDC 2024’s commitment to sustainable design.Created by Daniel Ruanova, an internationally recognized visual artist from Tijuana, and Heleo, a full-service architecture and design agency, this installation serves as a bridge, connecting people from various backgrounds, inspiring conversations, and fostering a sense of unity.Spanning 3,554 square-feet and standing 16 feet tall, the radical structure has a modular framework that can be easily assembled and disassembled, highlighting WDC 2024’s commitment to sustainable design. Rather than importing materials from across the globe, the structure is fabricated locally in Tijuana, including a steel structure made from 93% recyclable steel and seating made from ByBlocks, construction-grade materials made entirely from repurposed and often non-recyclable plastic. The structure will feature an LED Ticker Tape panel that will display scrolling cross border poetry as a representation of the unification of the design community in our border region.Designed to experience from inside and out, the EXCHANGE Pavilion reimagines the walls of our border’s "no-man's-land" by lifting the veil on either side in order to unimpeded movement for all inhabitants of this uninhabitable space. The structure features two monolith-like sides that are raised on each side, bridging the gap and creating an epicenter for cultural exchange in a way to exemplify what occurs every day at the border. The design of this radical structure is not just as an architectural statement, but as a catalyst for meaning connections and cultural understanding. The EXCHANGE Pavilion is a testament to the power of design in connecting people from various backgrounds, inspiring connections, and fostering a sense of unity.

“The EXCHANGE Pavilion invites us to connect with people, provoking dialogue, creativity, human connection, and the exchange of our collective experiences,” said Mai Nguyen, Board Chair of WDC 2024 and Director of UC San Diego Design Lab. “A representation of the significance of WDC 2024 to the region, this installation will serve as a bridge, connecting people from various backgrounds, inspiring conversations, and fostering a sense of unity.” The structure’s design was led by Daniel Ruanova in collaboration with Heleo, an award-winning, San Diego-based full-service architecture and design practice, committed to creating innovative experiences through the built environment. Daniel Ruanova is a self-taught contemporary artist whose work has been featured throughout the world as part of solo exhibitions and group shows in cities including Los Angeles, New York, Beijing, and Mexico City.The EXCHANGE Pavilion will serve as a central hub for lectures, performances, workshops, and gatherings that invite visitors to explore, learn, and engage—actively participating in the ‘exchange’ of ideas, culture, and experiences. The community is encouraged to attend the EXCHANGE Pavilion’s Open House on Saturday, August 17 from 11:30 am- 4:00 pm for a day filled with exciting events and activities including a behind-the-scenes presentation into the creation of the installation, panel discussions with Daniel and Heleo, live music, and more. Attendance is free, but space is limited. To secure a seat, register here.The EXCHANGE Pavilion is a partnership of WDC 2024 and the City of San Diego, and funding for the pavilion is made possible by the City of San Diego.

For more information about WDC 2024, including a list of upcoming events and community initiatives, please visit wdc2024.org.

[Restriction: NO SALES IN SAN DIEGO-SAN DIEGO OUT]