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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

Project in-detail

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

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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

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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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