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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
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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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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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