Piertzovanis Toews forms Reversible Timber Pavilion for retreat
The sliding door pavilion at Nuglar-St. Trousers, Switzerlandit came from an open letter to the local council in which young residents expressed the need for a sheltered place to meet and congregate. Developed by Piertzovanis Toews through a collaborative process involving local residents, stakeholders, architects and the young authors of the initiative, the project resulted in a light kiosk is located just outside the village.
The design responds to the surrounding landscape through a simple timber structure rising above the meadow. Sliding panels provide wind and weather protection while allowing the pavilion to shift between closed and open configurations. Without insulation or electricity, the structure offers a flexible space that can function as a living room, concert stage or semi-open theater. THE movable elements Also allow the pavilion to host different forms of gathering, from music and festivities to informal gatherings and quiet retreats.
Translucent glazing filters daylight and produces changing patterns of light and shadow on interior surfaces during the day. As the sliding panels are repositioned, the relationship between the pavilion and the surrounding meadow is constantly changing, creating a sequence of spatial conditions within a compact structure.
a light wooden pavilion sits above the meadow | all images from Federico Farinati
Local Materials and Collective Making Inform Pavilion’s Design
Piertzovanis Toews’ design team developed the project through a participatory process that included workshops and meetings with villagers and local stakeholders. The collaborative approach also extended to the construction and financing of the pavilion. With the initial budget insufficient to cover the entire project, local businesses and suppliers contributed materials and services. Used trapezoidal metal sheets and curtains were donated and reused, while polycarbonate panels and paint were provided at reduced cost. Contractors contributed parts of the building work and residents participated in workshops on painting wooden elements and making stools without glue or screws.
The choice of materials and construction methods were guided by the goal of minimizing the pavilion’s ecological footprint. The timber was sourced from nearby forests, while the reuse of sheet metal and curtains reduced the need for new materials. The structure rests on screw foundations that can be removed and reused, allowing the pavilion to be dismantled in the future without permanently altering the meadow.
The Pavilion of Sliding Doors combines environmental considerations with community-driven design. The project creates a shared space for the Nuglar–St. Pantaleon while showing how a small architectural intervention can arise from local needs, collective participation and a reversible approach to construction.
Sliding panels allow the booth to open and close
the wooden frames define the simple architectural language of the pavilion
Movable panels adapt the space to changing uses
The local timber came from the surrounding forests
Residents helped paint the wooden elements during construction workshops
translucent glazing filters daylight throughout the interior
Light and shadow patterns change throughout the day
reused materials contribute to the structure of the pavilion
donated curtains and materials were incorporated into the construction
