Architecture Competition: Down the rabbit hole – Earth Home Design Challenge
Fantasy worlds
Fantasy is an artful ingredient in our lives. It is not just an escape but has the potential of becoming a way of understanding reality by looking at it through an inverted lens. Many stories have been born of fantasy, its essence synchronized with realism in a metaphysical sense.
Alice in Wonderland is one such fantasy that is immemorial. It is a fictional narration that tells a story of a concealed cavern underground, with an eccentric setting and playful characters. A girl falls through a rabbit hole and finds herself charmed by this whimsical world of enchantment.
Her journey of discovering herself is captivated by her movement through wonderland. The notion of the existence of a captivating world with endless possibilities is the soul of the story. The story encourages one to look beyond perceived limitations and pursue new, uncharted territories.
Can we create such a unique wonderland experience for people in the real world?
The design of any space is an individualistic expression of thoughts and desires. It gives us a sense of belonging, much like how Alice feels welcomed and accepted in wonderland.
Brief: The challenge is to design an earth-sheltered holiday home that is inspired by the fantasy world in the fantasy novel ‘Alice in Wonderland.
The design of the structure must tell the story of this classic fable in some form.
The holiday home will consist of multiple units for accommodating guests visiting the site. It can be partially or fully buried underground. The terrain of the site can be utilized or the land can be manipulated to create earth shelter stay spaces. The material and construction techniques used must create a comfortable environment inside. Sustainable strategies for ventilation, lighting, and so on can be incorporated to maintain a natural experience for people.
