Get inspired!

17,249 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Engaging Kinetic LED Displays Integrated With Rammed Earth and Reflective Water Features

Authors:
Leilei Xu, Leah Sun, Heng Tan
Engaging Kinetic LED Displays Integrated With Rammed Earth and Reflective Water Features

Project in-detail

Kinetic LED displays seamlessly integrate with rammed earth and reflective water features to create an interactive space that fosters dialogue and creativity, serving as a pavilion for cultural exchange and exploration.
5 key facts about this project
01
Kinetic LED installations dynamically narrate human accomplishments within the pavilion.
02
Rammed earth walls provide thermal mass and enhance environmental sustainability.
03
Interactive workshops encourage hands-on creativity and collaboration among visitors.
04
Reflective water features amplify natural light and create tranquil environments.
05
The non-linear layout promotes exploration and connection among diverse cultural narratives.
The architectural project "Ad Astra," located near St Kilda Beach in Melbourne, Australia, presents a multifaceted design intended to serve as a Pavilion of Humanity. This structure represents humanity's pursuits, achievements, and aspirations for future exploration. The design crafts a narrative around the interconnectedness of cultures, the promotion of creativity, and the notion of possible contact with intelligent life beyond Earth. Functionally, the pavilion serves as a space for exhibits, workshops, and gatherings, catering to a diverse audience while fostering dialogue and collaboration.

Unique Design Approaches
"Ad Astra" employs a biomimetic architectural approach, drawing inspiration from natural forms to create an organic structure that transcends conventional designs. The pavilion features a flowing, non-linear layout, diverging from traditional rigid geometries. This design not only enhances movement within the space but also creates a sense of harmony with the surrounding environment. Key areas within the pavilion include the Gallery of Humans, which showcases human accomplishments through dynamic visual storytelling, and the Conference Room/Dome Theatre, which supports immersive engagements in a 360-degree format. The circular configurations of creative workshops emphasize collaboration while maximizing natural light.

Materials and Construction Techniques
The selection of materials for "Ad Astra" reflects a commitment to sustainability and innovation. Notable materials include engraved LED lights, which facilitate interactive displays, and rammed earth, providing an eco-friendly construction method that roots the pavilion in its site. Additionally, agricultural elements such as padding rice and corn underscore connections to humanity's origins and sustenance. The integration of water within the design symbolizes life and continuity, effectively enhancing the pavilion's environmental narrative.

The architectural elements of "Ad Astra" encapsulate its ethos of exploration and engagement. Its adaptive nature allows for spatial flexibility, while also permitting various uses and configurations that cater to public interaction. The pavilion stands as a forward-thinking architectural endeavor with a clear message about humanity's capacity for creativity and collaboration in exploring not only our world but potential future connections beyond it.

For further exploration of the architectural details of "Ad Astra," including architectural plans, sections, and design elements, readers are encouraged to review the project presentation for a comprehensive understanding of its innovative design features.
Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #2
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

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

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,249 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy