Bohio Pavilion, With students from the New York Institute of Technology Graduate School of Architecture, we constructed a kinetic shade structure, or Bohio, for the El Cataño Community Garden in East Harlem, New York City.
© Christian Larsen
East Harlem, also known as El Barrio, has one of the largest Latinx populations in New York City. The El Cataño garden acts as a hub for the local Puerto Rican community, hosting events as diverse as domino tournaments, exercise classes, and storytime for pre-schoolers.
© Christian Larsen
Students worked with garden members to design a structure that could adapt to these various requirements while responding to the seasonal fluctuations on the south-facing lot. Using compressed gas springs and mechanical winches, the roof opens or closes depending on the desire for shade or shelter from rain.
© Christian Larsen
The design was inspired by the Bohio, the traditional timber and thatch shade structure of the Taino, the indigenous people of Puerto Rico. A cedar and stainless steel structure holds a lightweight recycled aluminum roof that is a graphic translation of the Puerto Rican flag; a symbol of identity that was outlawed by the United States from 1898 until 1952.
© Christian Larsen
The flag was designed by the Puerto Rican Revolutionary Committee in New York City in the 1890’s and has since become an enduring emblem of national pride which is frequently seen throughout East Harlem.
Project Info
Architects: SAW.EARTH
Country: United States, New York
Area: 144 ft²
Year: 2023
Photographs: Christian Larsen
Students: Rachel Aronbayev, Advia Bhat, Hoi Ting Chan, Clarity Chen, Krishna Chhatbar, Lindsay Diburro, Fatema Dula, Anas Ghojaria, Nicole Giella, Andrew Hertz, Sabrina Innamorato, Huiyi Ma, Nico Mendoza, Nicholas Reid, Andres Sandoval, Bharat Satish
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.