SHORT DESCRIPTION

The Park of Oracles, initiated by Outsider magazine in 2021, is a living laboratory for earth building and sustainable architecture. What began with a single experimental pavilion has since evolved into a growing site of workshops, research, and collective practice, where more than 150 participants have already contributed. At the heart of the project lies the conviction that earth—one of the oldest and most widespread construction materials—holds immense potential for the future of building. With the lowest carbon footprint of all materials, universal availability, and exceptional climatic properties, earth offers a path toward healthier, more resilient, and more affordable architecture. Yet the Park of Oracles is not only about material research; it is also about people. Each workshop is a communal act: earth brings individuals together. The project unfolds through different layers of experimentation. On the scientific side, mixtures are tested, compressed, and measured, seeking better strength and durability. On the intuitive side, participants engage in hands-on play: building formworks, testing tools, and exploring the “alphabet of architecture” through elemental forms—walls, columns, corners, and spaces. Doubt is embraced as a productive force, pushing each iteration forward, while beauty is regarded not as a byproduct, but as a guiding principle. The resulting pavilions are modest in size but profound in meaning. They stand as contemporary “oracles”: small architectures without predetermined function, serving instead as spaces of learning, reflection, and reconnection with the environment. Like ancient sanctuaries that once offered visions of the future, these earthen structures open up questions about technology, culture, and spirituality. The Park of Oracles continues to grow each year, with new workshops. It is a place where tradition and innovation meet, where mistakes are welcomed as lessons, and where the act of building with earth becomes a tool for better living—both individually and collectively.