MA5

Mantle Over Sand Pavilion

This pavilion emerges as a response to circularity and the use of contextual materials, emphasizing a deep connection to its surroundings. The project reimagines and questions the presence of decontextualized elements of nature as forms of architecture. This duality between the industrial/artificial and nature itself reflects the current condition of the Anthropocene in contemporary society and architecture.

The project rethinks the public square as a living mechanism that embraces harmony between architecture and nature. In its natural state, sand, wind, and water continuously blend, creating a symphony of thermodynamic sensations. This rhythm mirrors nature’s behavior and invites us, through resilience, to see natural phenomena as opportunities to adapt and connect deeply with the place.

The design unfolds in two layers: a bed of sediments nurturing diverse plants that breathe and grow, and delicate scaffolds draped in persiana alicantina—an element of Spanish architecture—that sway with the wind, weaving shade on sunlit days. Together with the fountains’ gentle flow, these elements summon cool breezes and soft mists, crafting a tranquil refuge where the city breathes and the earth sings.

Year: 2025

Competition

Collaboration: Behnaz Shamsaei