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Dome-Covered Community Hub with Rammed Earth and Gabion Elements

Authors:
Paola Dalila Martínez Chávez, Jonathán Noé Salazar Anaya, Arely Montes Hurtado
Dome-Covered Community Hub with Rammed Earth and Gabion Elements
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A dome-covered structure constructed with rammed earth and gabion walls creates a functional community hub designed for diverse group activities and interactions.
5 key facts about this project
01
Central dome allows for natural light and nighttime stargazing.
02
Interior garden connected for outdoor activities and enhanced air quality.
03
Spiral hall design supports flexible seating arrangements for diverse gatherings.
04
Strategically placed dry toilets for improved accessibility and maintenance.
05
Buried garden integrates with terrain to optimize natural lighting.

Eco serves as a communal hub designed to facilitate social interaction and connection among its users. Located in an environment conducive to group activities, the design is inspired by the concept of echo, symbolizing the relationships and interactions among community members. The aim is to create adaptable spaces that support various gatherings, workshops, and events, thus enriching the community experience.

Central Hall Configuration

The central hall is shaped in a spiral form, allowing for flexible seating arrangements that can accommodate groups of different sizes. A Yurt-type roof caps the hall, efficiently managing the entry of natural light throughout the day while providing an open, expansive feel. Well-placed windows enhance daylight access and promote air circulation, which contributes to a comfortable indoor climate.

Multipurpose Rooms and Outdoor Connection

Within the structure, multipurpose rooms are included, with one room directly accessing an interior garden. This connection encourages the blending of indoor and outdoor spaces, making it suitable for activities like yoga and workshops that benefit from natural surroundings. The design allows these rooms to serve multiple functions at once, maximizing their utility.

Accessibility and User Experience

Accessibility is a key focus, with dry toilets placed thoughtfully for ease of maintenance and access. The kitchen, oriented toward the north, helps keep temperatures down while providing a functional space for cooking. An exterior hall guides users toward the entrances while providing shade, improving overall accessibility and comfort for the community members.

Natural Elements and Garden Integration

A notable aspect is the dome at the center of the hall, allowing for daylight illumination and evening views of the stars. This feature connects occupants to the natural environment, enhancing the experiential quality of the space. Additionally, a buried garden enclosed by Gabion retaining walls creates a connection between the inside and outside areas, taking advantage of the terrain's natural slope to maximize light and support plant growth.

As light moves through the space, the changing patterns create a unique visual dynamic, adding depth to the atmosphere within Eco.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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