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Curved Walls and Carved Openings in Rammed Earth Pavilion

Authors:
John william Henry, Mukhtar Rezaei, Elise Jordan
Curved Walls and Carved Openings in Rammed Earth Pavilion

Project in-detail

With thick, curved walls and strategically carved openings, the rammed earth pavilion creates a unique spatial experience that blurs the lines between interior and exterior, serving as an inviting space for reflection and gathering.
5 key facts about this project
01
The pavilion features thick, curved walls that enhance structural integrity and comfort.
02
Two carved openings frame views of the surrounding landscape, inviting interaction with nature.
03
Natural light plays dynamically across the interior, creating changing patterns throughout the day.
04
Rammed earth construction emphasizes sustainability and connects with local architectural traditions.
05
A circular gathering space at the center encourages community interaction and reflection.

The Earth Egg pavilion represents a thoughtful architectural endeavor that emphasizes the relationship between the built environment and nature. Set within a rich natural landscape, it serves as a space for reflection and connection. The design concept revolves around the use of earth as a primary material, specifically rammed earth, which creates a sense of belonging and continuity with the surrounding context.

Curved Walls

The structure features thick, curved walls that create a dome-like form. This shape adds both stability and a comforting feeling of enclosure. The curves of the walls enhance the aesthetic appeal while allowing for interesting interactions with light and shadow. As daylight shifts, the interior feels alive, responding to the changing conditions outside.

Openings

Two openings carved into the thick walls serve an important role in the design. These gaps are positioned to frame views of the landscape, acting as natural windows. They invite visitors to look outward and engage with the beauty of the surroundings. The openings bring in natural light, illuminating the interior spaces while offering a moment of pause for contemplation against the backdrop of nature.

Spatial Experience

Inside the Earth Egg, the design focuses on user experience, creating an intimate atmosphere. The pavilion feels secure and inviting, encouraging visitors to explore and reflect. The interplay of light filtering through the openings casts patterns that change throughout the day, enhancing the sense of place and time. People can pause and think, or simply enjoy the moment within this carefully crafted space.

Materiality

The choice of rammed earth as the primary material highlights the project’s commitment to sustainability. This material connects the pavilion to its historical roots in architecture while also promoting durability. It ensures that the Earth Egg will withstand the passage of time, just as the surrounding landscape has done for generations.

The center of the pavilion features a circular gathering space, where visitors can come together. Here, the layers of light and shadow converge, creating an inviting area for reflection and conversation. Each element of the design works together to create a harmonious environment, rooted in both the earth and the human experience.

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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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