Previous state
Established in 2021, the Centre for Building with Earth is on an old farm that was constructed in the early nineteenth century in a region of Slovenia with a long cultural tradition, which includes Roman remains and the medieval town of Gutenwerth. The area was facing challenges, including suburbanisation, sprawl, and loss of identity and valuable heritage, which also endangered traditional construction techniques and agricultural land use.
Aim of the intervention
The Centre for Building with Earth was founded as one of the projects associated with Outsider, the leading Slovenian architecture and space culture magazine. The Centre aims to preserve local heritage through sustainable practices favouring construction with natural materials like earth, timber, and straw. It planned to renovate the old farm buildings as a venue for cultural and educational events, workshops, festivals, and symposiums.
Description
At present, there are two pavilions called “park oracles”. The first, constructed in 2022, presents a rammed earth wall, and the second, built in 2023, is modular. These structures demonstrate the innovative possibilities of soil use and allow study of new ways of building and confronting climate change. Other pavilions, also exploring the techniques and materials of sustainable architecture are also being constructed. The park is a project in constant evolution and keeps expanding every year.
Assessment
The project demonstrates how natural materials can play a vital role in contemporary architecture by connecting heritage and present-day sustainability needs. The pavilions function as laboratories for experimentation, educating people about techniques of building with earth and encouraging public participation. Besides preserving the local architectural heritage, the Centre contributes to the educational and cultural revitalisation of the area. Modular use of materials broadens functional potential, and the park has become a space for debate about, and experimentation with sustainable construction that is connected with a restored and celebrated local identity.
[Last update: 07/09/2026]
