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Sanctuary Within a Meteorite Crater Featuring Spiraling Exhibition Spaces

Authors:
Friedhelm Christ, Simon Rieß
Sanctuary Within a Meteorite Crater Featuring Spiraling Exhibition Spaces
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A sanctuary located within the Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater, this Pavilion integrates a spiraling ramp with distinct exhibition spaces that invite contemplation on the complexities of humanity.
5 key facts about this project
01
Pavilion located within a meteorite crater, enhancing the sense of isolation.
02
Features a spiraling ramp connecting five thematic exhibition rooms.
03
Dome structure serves as a protective element, encompassing the auditorium.
04
Sanctuary space encourages personal reflection with subdued lighting.
05
Exhibitions explore core aspects of humanity, from nature to art.

The Pavilion of Humanity is situated within the Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater in Australia. This structure acts as a space for visitors to engage with various aspects of the human experience. Its main purpose is to explore deep questions related to humanity, drawing from philosophical ideas that have evolved over time. The Pavilion is carefully organized into distinct thematic exhibition areas that promote reflection and interaction, encouraging visitors to think about what it means to be human.

Design Concept

The design draws inspiration from philosophical inquiries about human identity. It effectively creates an environment that encourages contemplation and introspection, enhancing the visitor experience. At the core of the Pavilion is the Dome, which functions as a protective outer layer for the auditorium. This central element symbolizes a safe space for collective engagement, inviting individuals to consider the themes presented throughout the exhibitions.

Exhibition Spaces

A key feature is the spiraling ramp that leads visitors from ground level into the heart of the Pavilion. This ramp connects five exhibition rooms, each focusing on a specific theme: nature, history, communication, science, and art. Each space is designed to provoke thought and facilitate interaction, offering a rich dialogue with visitors and their own understanding of these themes.

The nature exhibition presents man as a part of the surrounding environment. The history room provides insights into humanity's evolution and self-understanding. The communication section emphasizes social connections through interactive sound capsules. The science exhibition explores technological aspects of humanity, using projections to illustrate concepts. Lastly, the art gallery showcases human creativity through a range of artistic expressions.

Contemplative Space

At the end of the ramp is the sanctuary, an intimate area designed for reflection. Its cavernous texture and soft lighting create a calming atmosphere. Visitors can take time to think about the complexities of human existence. This space reinforces the Pavilion's role as a place for exploration and contemplation, allowing individuals to ponder their own connections to the themes presented.

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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.

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