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Curved Green Roof Embracing Basalt and Rammed Earth for Intimate Cinematic Experiences

Authors:
Zivar Aliyeva, Yasemin Parlar, Reinier Kok, Rihards Dzelme
Curved Green Roof Embracing Basalt and Rammed Earth for Intimate Cinematic Experiences
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The integration of curved green roofs with rammed earth walls and local basalt creates intimate viewing rooms that transform film watching into a communal experience in a contemporary cinematic setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth walls provide superior acoustic performance for enhanced sound quality.
02
Translucent screens in viewing rooms allow for natural light and outside views.
03
A winding path engages visitors and enhances their journey to the viewing area.
04
Local basalt blocks form exterior retaining walls, connecting the structure to its landscape.
05
The curved green roof mimics traditional turf houses, integrating the cinema with the environment.

*UNDERLAND: House of Moving Pictures* is a cinematic place that changes how people experience films. Located within a carefully designed landscape, the project combines small viewing rooms with a larger communal arena. This setup highlights the connection between individual viewers and the broader audience. The main idea focuses on making the act of watching films a shared and personal experience, allowing for a dynamic interaction between the cinema and its patrons.

Design Concept

The architecture features several small viewing rooms, equipped with translucent screens that serve as both projection surfaces and views to the outside. This allows the interior spaces to remain visually linked to the activity occurring beyond the walls, enriching the overall experience of watching films. Viewers can engage closely with specific films while also feeling part of a larger community in the main arena.

Spatial Organization

Visitors move through the building via winding pathways that create engaging transitions. These routes lead from the outside environment into the main areas where films are shown, enhancing the overall journey within the structure. The layout encourages exploration. Visitors can uncover various interconnected spaces before they reach the viewing area, which builds anticipation for the movie-going experience.

Materiality and Aesthetics

Rammed earth walls play an important role in the design, improving the acoustic qualities of the interior spaces. This choice supports the goal of creating an immersive sound experience for viewers. The floor made of earth further dampens sound, enhancing the quality of the viewing experience. Local basalt blocks are used for the exterior retaining walls, linking the building to its geographic context and creating a sense of continuity with the landscape.

Environmental Integration

A notable feature of *UNDERLAND* is the curved green roof that reflects the design of traditional turf houses. This element helps the building blend more naturally with its surroundings while also providing thermal insulation. The contrast between the rough texture of the stone walls and the warmth of the rammed earth inside creates a rich tactile experience, inviting visitors into the cinema's unique environment.

Complex interactions between the spaces invite audiences to become part of the cinematic narrative. The design emphasizes both individual engagement and collective participation, making the process of watching films a shared journey for everyone involved.

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Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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