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Rammed Earth Walls and Community Workshops in a Topographically Designed Space

Authors:
Christian David Madrigal García, Gabriel Alejandro Ruíz Suárez
Rammed Earth Walls and Community Workshops in a Topographically Designed Space
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Rammed earth walls define a space shaped by topographical changes, fostering community engagement through multipurpose areas and dedicated workshops.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth walls contribute to natural insulation and thermal mass.
02
Topographical variations create distinct views and privacy within the site.
03
Multipurpose areas adapt to various community activities and events.
04
Workshops designed for skill development foster creativity and collaboration.
05
Zen meeting space encourages mindfulness and reflection among users.

The design explores the theme of transcendence, focusing on spaces that promote personal reflection and interaction among community members. Located within a carefully shaped landscape, the spaces are intended to foster connections between individuals and their surroundings. The plan emphasizes simplicity and purpose, addressing the everyday needs of the people who will inhabit these environments while enhancing their living experience.

Spatial Organization

The layout includes distinct areas that serve specific functions, encouraging community engagement. Key components feature multipurpose spaces allowing for various activities, which support dynamic interactions among users. A special Zen meeting space offers a peaceful environment for contemplation and discussion. Workshops designed for skills development provide opportunities for creativity, further enriching community involvement.

Materiality and Sustainability

A unique aspect of the design involves changes in topography, creating levels that guide views and offer privacy. The earth moved during construction is reused as rammed earth walls. This practice showcases a commitment to sustainable design by reducing waste and connecting the buildings to the natural landscape. The result is an environment that feels cohesive with its setting and retains a strong sense of place.

Design Strategies

The architectural approach revolves around four central ideas: achieving immanence, achieving archaic, achieving transcendence, and achieving dynamics. Immanence is reflected in spaces that allow for self-connection and contemplation. The archaic aspect emphasizes essential living, fostering deep relationships without unnecessary details. Forms are crafted to communicate the community's values, ensuring that important stories can be passed down through generations. Dynamic spaces adapt to changing needs, allowing them to grow with the community over time.

Final Design Detail

Communal kitchens and dining areas create welcoming spaces where shared meals strengthen ties among residents. These thoughtfully designed places encourage interaction and social bonding, contributing to a warm and collaborative atmosphere. This focus on community and connection reflects a deeper understanding of how spaces can enhance daily life and build lasting relationships.

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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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