Associates Architecture has completed the PAN-ORAMA Pavilion, a striking architectural installation designed for the 4th edition of the Festival des Cabanes at the historic Villa Medici in Rome, Italy. The innovative pavilion, completed in 2025, creates a unique dialogue between built architecture and the natural landscape by embracing a centuries-old pine tree within its design framework.
The project consists of a square enclosure that thoughtfully incorporates the existing mature pine tree in the villa's garden, establishing two distinctly different spatial experiences. The design creates an inner space that is more intimate and contemplative, oriented toward the tree and open sky above, while the outer space engages in active dialogue with the characteristic hedges that define the Villa Medici's historic gardens.
The design team, led by Nicolò Galeazzi and including Martina Salvaneschi, Claudia Crotti, Martina Farinati, Paola Federici, Marta Garonzi, and Sofia Macchia, developed the pavilion as a temporary structure that respects the heritage context while offering visitors a new way to experience the garden space. The project was commissioned by Villa Medici in partnership with Fondation Louis Le Masson et François Masson.
Constructed primarily of wood materials, the pavilion demonstrates how contemporary architecture can sensitively integrate with historic landscapes and mature vegetation. The square geometry of the structure creates a clear architectural statement while allowing the natural form of the ancient pine tree to remain the focal point of the interior space.
The Festival des Cabanes, now in its fourth edition, provides a platform for architects to create temporary installations that explore the relationship between architecture, nature, and human experience. The PAN-ORAMA Pavilion exemplifies this mission by creating spaces that encourage both quiet contemplation and active engagement with the surrounding landscape.
Photography by Nicolò Galeazzi captures the pavilion's integration with its garden setting, showcasing how the structure frames views of both the tree canopy above and the carefully maintained hedgerows that characterize the Villa Medici's formal gardens. The project represents Associates Architecture's ongoing exploration of how temporary structures can create meaningful architectural experiences while respecting and enhancing their natural and cultural contexts.
