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Landroom

© Dan Bronfeld

Photo essayEnvironmental humanitiesCOVID thoughts

Landroom

Landroom is a photographic essay exploring a small, experimental earth-built structure overlooking the Ramon Crater in Israel’s Negev Desert. Constructed from locally sourced soil, sand and stone, the six-square-metre shelter serves as both a daytime refuge and a nighttime observatory. Through its layered materials, changing light and interaction with the desert soundscape, the project examines the relationship between architecture, landscape and human experience. Conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic, Landroom reflects on shelter, uncertainty and our need to reconnect with the natural environment.

Ben Gitai 6 November 2020

The Landroom is a minimal environmental structure designed on the verge between Territory and a landscape object. It
The Landroom is a minimal environmental structure designed on the verge between Territory and a landscape object. It is located at the western observation point on the edge of the Mitzpe Ramon crater in the Negev. Landroom © Dan Bronfeld
It functions as an observatory for the stars at night and provides shelter for visitors where the sun's
It functions as an observatory for the stars at night and provides shelter for visitors where the sun’s rays are burning in daylight. The Landroom is about 6 square meters in size and it can accommodate two people. It embodies the transition from a normative lifestyle to the unpredictable living conditions created as a result of the corona plague that plagues our world today. Landroom morning © Dan Bronfeld
It also maintains an internal and external dialogue with the physical area (Ramon Crater) in which it is
It also maintains an internal and external dialogue with the physical area (Ramon Crater) in which it is located, thus allowing a connection between the space and the landscape that surrounds it. Among other things, the atmosphere in the Landroom transform itself with changing environmental conditions throughout the day. Landroom landscape © Dan Bronfeld
The construction process takes place by compressing soil into its various layers into a mould created specifically for
The construction process takes place by compressing soil into its various layers into a mould created specifically for the design of the project, in order to create a visual stratification of the material from which the Landroom is built. The project examines the relationship between material and territorial space, and how they define each other. The project was built entirely of earth and sand from Ramon Crater, as well as stones found at the site. Landroom afternoon © Dan Bronfeld
Among other things, the Landroom refers to the soundscape local environment. Inside the space, there is a window
Among other things, the Landroom refers to the soundscape local environment. Inside the space, there is a window on which hangs a wind bell built of desert stone and thus a dialogue takes place with the natural environment in which it is located. This work emphasizes the need of man to observe nature. The Landroom is a spatial formal translation that provides the visitor a sense of freedom and space within a unique landscape. Landroom morning © Dan Bronfeld

Author(s) and/or Contributor(s)

Ben Gitai

Cite this item

Ben Gitai (2020) Landroom. The Landscape Exchange, Landscape Research Group. Published 6 November 2020.

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