Tête-à-Terra is the result of a curiosity-driven project by ATÖLYE Architecture. It is a spatial installation made of earth-made bricks—a contemporary take on heritage building techniques. Its primary objective is to cultivate an environment that encourages meaningful human interactions while underscoring the need to shift our perspectives, recalibrate our priorities around sustainability, and realize the potential of regenerative design through the lens of global and local communities.

On their quest for sustainable ways of building, the project team collaborated with Mono Earth, who specializes in rammed earth production, and came up with the idea of combining clay soil with ceramic fragments, a waste product of the ceramic industry causing immense amounts of landfill every year. To showcase the completely renewable material, ATÖLYE Architecture designed a pavilion, produced by Mono Earth and supported by Turkish ceramic giant Kalebodur. The installation was presented at Ketelhuisplein, Eindhoven in October 2023 within the scope of Dutch Design Week.

The pavilion underwent three months of material prototypes and design processes. Experiments with different soils and brick sizes were conducted, informing the height and design of two opposing walls. All production took place in Türkiye using the unique soils of Cappadocia, with assembly being completed in Eindhoven. After collecting soil samples of various beautiful colors, the bricks were formed by being pressed in molds after being mixed with ceramic fragments of various sizes. There was no glazing or baking process involved. This process, together with carbon offsetting through upcycling waste material, resulted in a zero carbon footprint material. Due to being a temporary structure, the walls of this installation were erected using a dry stack method, and secured by steel cables. The structure itself is a testament to the rawness of nature, since no mortar or adhesives of any kind were used. The bricks were finished in carnauba wax which makes them waterproof and suitable for outdoor use.

Tête-à-Terra represents the vastness of nature meeting human design. Situated in the middle of a busy square of Ketelhuisplein, two opposing walls created an intimate space for random encounters and a pause for reflection. In an increasingly fast-paced world driven by progress and technological advancements, the pavilion invited passersby to pause and reconnect with the natural world, serving as a sanctuary where individuals can find solace, grounding, and support. It explores how the current connection between architecture and the natural environment reflects our shared past and advocates for recognizing the potential of regenerative design and reevaluating priorities related to sustainability and justice through a global and local lens.