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Unearthing Calm Through Gray Concrete and Rammed Earth in Urban Environments

Authors:
Coral Canedo, Ricardo Lichtle
Unearthing Calm Through Gray Concrete and Rammed Earth in Urban Environments
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Gray concrete and rammed earth create a contemplative pavilion that enhances urban living by providing a tranquil space for meditation and connection with nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Gray concrete creates a stark contrast with the rammed earth, highlighting the transition between urban and natural elements.
02
The pavilion features a labyrinthine layout, guiding visitors toward a center for reflection and meditation.
03
Uneven walls of rammed earth evoke a sense of wild nature, enhancing user engagement with the space.
04
A carefully designed pathway fosters introspection, encouraging visitors to reflect while navigating through the structure.
05
The project emphasizes sustainability by integrating natural elements within an urban landscape to promote environmental awareness.

ITERRARIA is a pavilion designed to blend human experiences with nature in an urban setting. It serves as a small enclosure for selected plants and occasionally small animals. The design draws inspiration from labyrinths, guiding visitors from the noise of city life to moments of calm and reflection, offering a unique spatial experience.

Materials

The project employs concrete and rammed earth as its primary materials. Concrete provides a sturdy, durable base that reflects the character of urban environments. In contrast, rammed earth adds a softer, more tactile element, connecting users to the natural world. Together, these materials highlight the relationship between constructed spaces and their natural surroundings, reinforcing the pavilion's theme of coexistence.

Pathway Design

At the heart of ITERRARIA is a carefully designed pathway that encourages meditation. As visitors move through the space, they experience a sense of unease created by uneven rammed earth walls. This design choice evokes the wildness of nature and prompts reflection. As users follow the path, they are guided toward the center, deepening their contemplation along the way.

User Engagement

The pavilion aims to foster a strong connection with nature. Walking through ITERRARIA reveals a contrast between the hard surfaces of the city and the natural elements within the space. This transition invites visitors to think about the role of nature in their lives. Interactive moments throughout the journey not only engage the senses but also prompt personal reflection.

Light filters through the structure, creating shifting patterns on the surfaces. This changing interplay enhances engagement with the space, subtly inviting users to contemplate their relationship with nature amid the complexities of modern life. Each visit provides a different experience, as the environment adapts with the passage of time.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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