A stunning new art installation is now greeting visitors in the Plaza de Panama of Balboa Park, as part of the World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024 (WDC 2024). Mayor Todd Gloria was joined today by Councilmember Raul Campillo and WDC officials to cut the ribbon on the temporary structure, which is just one part of WDC 2024 programming, with more than 300 initiatives across San Diego and Tijuana.

Internationally recognized visual artist from Tijuana Daniel Ruanova and Heleo, a full-service architecture and design agency, created the “EXCHANGE Pavilion” to connect 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. The structure was fabricated locally in Tijuana and includes a component 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.

The EXCHANGE Pavilion reimagines the walls of our border’s "no-man's-land.” The structure features two raised monolith-like sides, bridging the gap and creating an epicenter for cultural exchange in a way that exemplifies what occurs every day at the border.

“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.”

Daniel Ruanova is a self-taught contemporary artist whose work has been featured worldwide in solo exhibitions and group shows in cities such as 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, Aug. 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., for a day filled with exciting events and activities, including a behind-the-scenes presentation on 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.

About World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024

The World Design Capital® (WDC) is designated every two years by the World Design Organization® (WDO) to recognize a city’s innovative and effective use of design to strengthen economic, social, cultural and environmental development.

Through a year-long program of design-related events, WDC provides a platform to showcase best practices in design-led policy and innovation, increase civic engagement, and attract business and tourism. The selection of the San Diego Tijuana joint bid makes it the first cross-border World Design Capital in history.

While the designation is for both cities as one connected community, San Diego is the first U.S. city ever to receive the designation. Tijuana is the second city in Mexico to hold the title, following Mexico City in 2018. World Design Capital 2024 will host a series of events, exhibitions and summits, including six signature events, and will support over 300 public events and initiatives that address the region’s most pressing challenges through design and create a unified force for regional transformation.

The region’s winning bid reflects the collective efforts of founding partners UC San Diego Design Lab, Design Forward Alliance, Burnham Center for Community Advancement, City of San Diego and City of Tijuana, and numerous community supporters. More information about World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024 is available at wdc2024.org.