Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Exploring Cultural Narratives Through Rammed Earth and Sensory Engagement

Authors:
Gábor Márkus, Dénes Dobos
Exploring Cultural Narratives Through Rammed Earth and Sensory Engagement

Project in-detail

Rammed earth forms a dialogue between local and global cultures in a pavilion designed for immersive education and sensory exploration, inviting visitors to engage with diverse soil textures while fostering reflection and connection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth walls feature distinctive textures reflecting local soil compositions.
02
Interactive installations change periodically, enhancing visitor engagement.
03
Barefoot access promotes a direct sensory connection with natural materials.
04
Informational plates are made from the same clay as the pavilion walls.
05
The design facilitates a dialogue between local and global cultural narratives.

The Earth Pantheon is a pavilion that showcases the diverse range of rammed earth mixtures from different regions around the world. Set in an environment that encourages interaction with the natural landscape, the pavilion functions as both an exhibition space and a tranquil retreat. The design focuses on creating a sacred atmosphere that highlights the importance of earth as a building material, allowing visitors to appreciate the textures and colors of various soil types.

SENSORY EXPERIENCE

A key aspect of the Earth Pantheon is its focus on sensory engagement. Visitors are encouraged to walk barefoot through the pavilion, promoting a direct connection with the earth underfoot. This design choice enhances the overall experience, inviting a sense of reflection and awareness of the space. The layout facilitates movement and exploration, making it easy for people to interact with their surroundings.

STRUCTURAL DUALITY

The pavilion consists of an outer wall made of rammed earth from local sources and an inner wall composed of materials from other regions. This approach creates a dialogue between local and global influences, showcasing the different textures and colors found in rammed earth. The outer wall offers a protective shield, while the inner wall provides an opportunity to explore the variety of soil mixtures in more depth.

EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT

Education is an important element embedded in the design. The pavilion hosts a permanent exhibition alongside a changing installation, which creates a dynamic experience for visitors. Guided tours offer lectures and multimedia presentations that explain the significance of each material. Informational plates made from the same clay as the walls visually connect the educational content to the structure, reinforcing the link between material and culture.

ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS

Natural light plays a crucial role in shaping the environment inside the Earth Pantheon. The design maximizes daylight, creating a calm and reflective space. This interaction between light and materials is enhanced by the earthen floors and walls, deepening the connection to nature. Visitors are required to remove their shoes before entering, signifying a shift into a space meant for contemplation. This simple act invites a more intimate relationship with the ground and the materials that form the pavilion.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

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

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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
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 17,725 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