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Monolithic Earth Portals Shaping Natural Erosion Pathways

Authors:
Alessandro Pennesi, Salvatore Ponzo, Fabio Romenici, Giuseppe Ponzo
Monolithic Earth Portals Shaping Natural Erosion Pathways

Project in-detail

Six monolithic earth portals engage with natural erosion processes while symbolizing humanity's connection to the Great Mother, inviting reflection as a cultural landmark.
5 key facts about this project
01
Six distinct portals utilize various raw earth construction techniques.
02
The design emphasizes natural erosion as part of its evolving narrative.
03
Each portal symbolizes cycles of birth, growth, and regeneration.
04
The installation makes no provisions for maintenance after construction.
05
Cultural narratives are woven into the architectural experience through symbolism.

Tellure is a design that combines construction and land art, interacting seamlessly with its natural surroundings. The concept revolves around marking the connection between humans, technology, and the earth throughout history. The installation consists of six unique portals, each crafted using different earth-based techniques that reflect a part of architectural development over time.

Concept and Design

The essence of Tellure lies in its six portals, each utilizing a distinct raw earth construction method. This variety highlights different cultural and technological approaches that shape architectural practices. The portals stand tall as solid structures, each one hiding intricate details that showcase a wide range of construction techniques, from ancient to modern. This emphasis on earth as a primary material encourages visitors to engage with the stories behind its use.

Materiality and Erosion

After completion, Tellure will not require ongoing maintenance, allowing it to experience a natural decline over time. The effects of weathering will gradually alter the portals, revealing their support frames as they erode. This transformation emphasizes the relationship between human creations and nature, illustrating how each portal interacts with environmental forces. The artifacts demonstrate resilience, showcasing the constant change and unpredictability inherent in the natural world.

Symbolism and Cultural Narrative

The design explores the themes of humanity's connection to the earth, represented through the Great Mother archetype, common in many cultures. This figure symbolizes cycles of life, encompassing birth, growth, decay, and renewal, mirroring both human experiences and natural rhythms. By weaving these narratives into its design, Tellure invites visitors to reflect on how architecture can represent and strengthen ties to the environment.

Final Design Detail

As time passes, the portals will engage visitors not just visually but also through the experience of change. They serve as reminders of the passage of time and the gradual influence of nature, ultimately becoming part of the landscape they inhabit. Visitors can observe this ongoing dialogue, witnessing how the design evolves along with its surroundings.

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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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