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Exploring Snail-Shaped Spaces with Water Ponds and Garden Beds

Authors:
Leilei Xu, Leah Sun, Heng Tan
Exploring Snail-Shaped Spaces with Water Ponds and Garden Beds
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With a form inspired by a snail and integrated water ponds alongside semi-recessed garden beds, the pavilion serves as a platform for community interaction and exploration of human values and achievements.
5 key facts about this project
01
The conference room shape is inspired by a snail, promoting organic conversation flow.
02
Water ponds are strategically integrated into the landscape design, enhancing ecological engagement.
03
Semi-recessed garden beds showcase essential crops like rice, wheat, and corn.
04
The pavilion includes areas for hands-on workshops, emphasizing community creativity.
05
Immersive technology supports dialogue between visitors and potential extraterrestrial entities.

The Human Habitat: Solar System project is located at St Kilda Beach in Melbourne, Australia. It is designed to explore human values, achievements, and the possibility of interacting with extraterrestrial beings. The concept focuses on love, respect, empathy, and appreciation, creating a space that reflects various facets of humanity. The pavilion serves both visitors and the broader community, inviting exploration and engagement.

Conference Room of Human Values
The Conference Room of Human Values is a key element, inspired by the shape of a snail. This design aims to encourage a natural flow of conversation and openness. Immersive technology enhances communication in this area, making it a critical space for discussions between humans and potential extraterrestrial visitors.

Gallery of Human Achievements
The Gallery of Human Achievements showcases important milestones in fields like science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, known collectively as STEAM. It presents these accomplishments through illuminated displays and sculptures, allowing visitors to appreciate human creativity and innovation. These visual elements make it easy for people to connect with the contributions of humanity.

Workshops of Human Curiosity
In the Workshops of Human Curiosity, large tables and seating encourage hands-on activities and creative expression. This area is designed for visitors to engage in arts and crafts, fostering imagination and collaboration. It reinforces the pavilion's purpose as a place for community learning and exploration.

Elements Supporting Human Life
The landscape design features essential agricultural elements, including rice, wheat, and corn, which are arranged in semi-recessed garden beds. These features are not only visually appealing but also highlight the importance of these crops for human survival. Water ponds integrated into the landscape enhance the experience, reminding visitors of the vital resources necessary for life.

As visitors wander through the pavilion, they encounter a narrative that captures the essence of humanity while exploring possibilities beyond Earth. The careful arrangement of spaces and interconnections creates a rich environment filled with experiences that reflect both human history and future goals.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Competition organisers

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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