Rhythms of the Soil: Architecture as Agroecology

At a time of ecological collapse and rising food insecurity, architecture is increasingly called upon to engage not only with landscapes but with the systems that sustain and regenerate them. Among these systems, agriculture occupies a paradoxical role, as both a leading contributor to environmental degradation and a potential agent of ecological recovery. Industrial farming has depleted soils, fragmented habitats, and driven climate change through monocultures, fossil-fuel dependency, and territorial standardization. In response, agroecology has emerged as a counter-practice rooted in biodiversity, local knowledge, and the cyclical rhythms of nature. It reframes farming not as extraction, but as regeneration of ecosystems, communities, and the soil itself.

Refugio Calfuco / Tomás de Iruarrizaga

This small refuge of about 50 m² is located near Valdivia, on the Pacific coast. It sits in the middle of the dense and humid Valdivian rainforest. The client wanted a small cabin to spend holidays, and the main challenge was to reinterpret the deeply rooted concept of the traditional cabin.

Osaka Expo 2025 Healthcare Pavilion Nest for Reborn / Tohata Architects & Engineers

This pavilion is presented by Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City at the Expo2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. Under the main theme of "REBORN," it aims to embody the host city's vision by creating a next-generation, environmentally symbiotic architecture that contributes to the realization of SDGs and a decarbonized society. Inspired by the history and culture of "Water City Osaka," which has thrived on wood and water, the pavilion reinterprets these elements to create a new architectural landmark that showcases Osaka's charm and growth to the world.

SG Kindergarten and Nursery / HIBINOSEKKEI + Youji no Shiro + Kids Design Labo

The new SG Kindergarten and Nursery was constructed by the consolidation and privatization of four dilapidated public preschools in Katori City, Chiba Prefecture. The area has been known as a hub of cultural exchange that prospered due to the waterway transportation across the Tone River during the Edo period. The distinct building type, Machiya (traditional townhouse), and townscapes from that specific period have been carefully preserved and designated as a Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings.

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