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Knowledge Hubs for Cultural Exchange in Desert Ecology

Authors:
Nathan Stanfield, Ruth Blair Moyers
Knowledge Hubs for Cultural Exchange in Desert Ecology
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Six interconnected libraries and community hubs designed for knowledge exchange and cultural dialogue in the context of desert ecology serve as a proactive response to resource challenges and societal inclusivity.
5 key facts about this project
01
Egalitarian model features six interconnected libraries.
02
Design supports both Earth and orbital habitation.
03
Public and private hubs encourage community involvement.
04
Focus on cultural reconciliation related to historical injustices.
05
Emphasizes learning from desert ecology for sustainable practices.

The Pavilion is designed to explore humanity's connection with space, set in West Texas, a region known for its history in aerospace endeavors. The structure aims to foster a community-oriented environment that emphasizes ecological responsibility, the sharing of knowledge, and a recognition of cultural histories. The Pavilion envisions a future where humanity may need to live beyond Earth, preparing for challenges through thoughtful architectural solutions.

Egalitarian Organization

At the heart of the Pavilion is a decentralized structure featuring six interconnected libraries. These spaces connect with various residential hubs within the design. The private hubs are large and stable, symbolizing community strength and support. They serve as homes for librarians who manage resources. In contrast, the public libraries are smaller and adaptable, designed to encourage flexibility and the exchange of knowledge. Together, these elements highlight key aspects of human existence: SEED, CULTURE, and TECHNOLOGY.

Ecological Sustainability

The design recognizes the urgent issue of diminishing resources, proposing that the Pavilion could function on Earth or in orbit around it. Its success relies on how well humanity cares for its surroundings. By taking lessons from Earth's environmental struggles, the Pavilion seeks sustainable practices for potential living conditions beyond our planet. The surrounding desert ecology offers valuable lessons in resilience, influencing how the design adapts to various challenges.

Cultural Engagement

Culturally, the Pavilion addresses important historical and social themes, especially those related to injustices at the U.S.-Mexico border. By creating a welcoming space for diverse cultures, the design encourages dialogue and healing. This emphasis on inclusion aims to make the Pavilion a center for mutual support and understanding, allowing different communities to connect and collaborate.

Materiality and Design Intent

While the presentation does not specify particular materials used, the focus remains on the conceptual design rather than physical elements. The principles guiding the Pavilion prioritize functionality and meaningful interaction with the space. Each decision aims to help visitors engage with the ideas presented, using the varied spaces to learn and share knowledge.

From the connections between its libraries to the inviting areas for collaboration, every aspect of the Pavilion’s design supports its mission of preparing humanity for new possibilities in the universe.

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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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