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Rammed Earth Pavilion Embracing Elemental Spaces in a Wilderness Setting

Authors:
Sahra Khan, Seraina Bernegger
Rammed Earth Pavilion Embracing Elemental Spaces in a Wilderness Setting

Project in-detail

Constructed with rammed earth and designed around elemental themes, the pavilion demonstrates a commitment to environmental sensitivity while providing a temporary space for visitors to experience the natural beauty of a designated wilderness area.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed entirely from local earth materials, ensuring minimal environmental impact.
02
Designed to decompose naturally, returning to the landscape after its intended lifespan.
03
Each room represents one of the four elements: earth, fire, water, and air.
04
Access is limited to a single season, creating a unique experience for visitors.
05
Built without heavy machinery, relying solely on human labor and traditional tools.

The design features a temporary pavilion situated in the Swiss National Park in the canton of Grison. The location presents unique challenges, as it is a wilderness area with strict restrictions on permanent human intervention. The pavilion reflects an overall concept focused on sustainability and environmental sensitivity, highlighting the importance of creating a structure that harmonizes with nature while remaining temporary.

Materials and Construction Methodology

Utilizing traditional building techniques, the pavilion employs rammed earth, pisé, and earth brick as its primary construction materials. These choices highlight the significance of earth as a resource that can be collected and processed locally. The focus on these materials not only serves practical purposes but also connects the design to communal practices found in various cultures that emphasize collective effort in sourcing and constructing.

Ecological Impact and Temporary Nature

The design prioritizes low-energy methods, minimizing the processing of materials. Earth can be sourced directly from the site, which limits the need for transportation and reduces the overall carbon footprint. The pavilion is intended to dissolve and decompose, returning to nature after its life cycle. It is accessible for one season, allowing a unique opportunity for both visitors and wildlife to experience its spaces.

Spatial Organization and User Experience

The arrangement of the pavilion is based on four elements: earth, fire, water, and air. Each room is dedicated to one element, creating different atmospheres that engage users on multiple levels. As people move through these spaces, they gain an appreciation for how the pavilion relates to its natural environment. The final space offers a view that emphasizes the beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Construction and Tools

The building process emphasizes human effort, with craftsmen bringing the necessary tools to the site. This approach avoids the use of heavy machinery and helicopters, which helps maintain the integrity of the landscape. The simplicity of this construction method reflects a respect for traditional practices while ensuring that the relationship between the materials and the environment remains strong.

The pavilion stands as a temporary structure that illustrates how architecture can align with environmental considerations. Each element within the design works together to foster a sense of exploration and engagement with the natural world surrounding it.

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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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