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Civilizational Mapping in an Underwater Pavilion

Author:
Agata Marzec
Civilizational Mapping in an Underwater Pavilion

Project in-detail

An underwater pavilion designed around the concept of civilizational mapping invites exploration of fundamental human values through its centrally located beauty room and interconnected spaces, serving as a venue for potential first contact and preservation of cultural heritage.
5 key facts about this project
01
Underwater location conceals the pavilion until triggered by a signal.
02
Central beauty room symbolizes the connection between body and spirit.
03
Walls display representations of seven distinct civilizations.
04
Access is limited by a glass surface, promoting contemplation.
05
Designed to function as both a meeting point and a time capsule.

The pavilion designed for potential extraterrestrial contact is a concept that blends concealment with communication. Located underwater, the structure remains hidden until a signal indicates the approach of other life forms. This dual purpose highlights its role as a meeting point for initial interactions and as a preservation of human achievements. The design is informed by the pluralistic theory of civilizations, which serves as a framework for exploring essential human values.

Conceptual Framework

The arrangement of the pavilion is based on historian Felix Koneczny’s theory, which interprets the existence of multiple civilizations, each with its own distinct belief systems and frameworks. This framework drives the organization of the pavilion into five key areas: beauty, welfare, health, good, and truth. These categories help articulate the diverse experiences and perspectives of humanity, showcasing their varied understandings of fundamental concepts.

Spatial Organization

A central beauty room acts as the main feature, symbolizing the link between the physical and spiritual realms. Surrounding this space are rooms dedicated to welfare, health, good, and truth. Each room corresponds to its respective theme, allowing for an exploration of the interconnectedness of these ideas. The layout effectively showcases the richness of cultural expressions from different civilizations, inviting contemplation.

Cultural Representation

The pavilion’s walls display representations of seven civilizations: Latin, Jewish, Turanian, Byzantine, Brahminian, Chinese, and Arabian. This thoughtful representation of cultural heritage emphasizes the importance of historical context and the achievements that arise from collective experiences. It serves as a reminder that significant accomplishments are products of shared human journeys, providing a comprehensive exploration of our past.

Functional Dynamics

Functional gateways connect the different spaces within the pavilion, allowing movement and interactions. Each passage leads to the beauty room, which is partially obscured by a glass surface. This design choice encourages respect for the cultural expressions on display and invites visitors to reflect on their significance. The overall design fosters an experience of dialogue between visitors, art, and history, reinforcing the importance of both individual and shared narratives.

The architectural form becomes a physical representation of knowledge, memory, and interaction. It encourages deeper engagement with themes of human existence and the contemplation of connections beyond our world.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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