Couvert de Terre
Saint-Gobain Architecture Student Contest
USA National Stage, 3rd Place Exhibited in Department of Architecture Triennial, Rhode Island School of Design, 2025
Site: Nord Isère, France
Instructor: Jonathan Knowles
Project Team: Daiki Hishinuma, Jae In (Samuel) Choi, Yihan Chen
The earth provides and creates opportunities for space, materiality, and growth. Its immediate layer, soil, becomes a medium and a bridge between a site and its users.
Our project begins with the peeling of the ground. By lifting the earth, space is revealed underneath, allowing for circulation and programs to unfold. Hoping to create a landscape that emulates the Alps and Nord-Isère’s local topography, various green layers graciously activate the space.
New Construction: Villefontaine (Sustainable Construction Campus)
Dormitory, Laboratory, Office Space, The Prototype Village, Boiler Room
Renovation: Chimilin (Multi-Purpose Space)
Library, Gallery, Amphitheater, Small & Large Gathering Spaces
The sustainable construction campus consists of two main layers: green canopies and rammed earth enclosures. Through the earth’s protective qualities, the canopy embodies the rammed earth layer while acting as a source for climate and light control. Due to such, the interior experience can be diversified. Being able to have an open experience within, meaningful connections between various occupants can be made.
Couvert de Terre is a continuation of the land itself. An architectural element is reimagined through its relationship with the earth, offering spatial opportunities. The hope is to frame a new way of living together, recognizing how the earth provides and protects.
USA National Stage, 3rd Place Exhibited in Department of Architecture Triennial, Rhode Island School of Design, 2025
Site: Nord Isère, France
Instructor: Jonathan Knowles
Project Team: Daiki Hishinuma, Jae In (Samuel) Choi, Yihan Chen
The earth provides and creates opportunities for space, materiality, and growth. Its immediate layer, soil, becomes a medium and a bridge between a site and its users.
Our project begins with the peeling of the ground. By lifting the earth, space is revealed underneath, allowing for circulation and programs to unfold. Hoping to create a landscape that emulates the Alps and Nord-Isère’s local topography, various green layers graciously activate the space.
New Construction: Villefontaine (Sustainable Construction Campus)
Dormitory, Laboratory, Office Space, The Prototype Village, Boiler Room
Renovation: Chimilin (Multi-Purpose Space)
Library, Gallery, Amphitheater, Small & Large Gathering Spaces
The sustainable construction campus consists of two main layers: green canopies and rammed earth enclosures. Through the earth’s protective qualities, the canopy embodies the rammed earth layer while acting as a source for climate and light control. Due to such, the interior experience can be diversified. Being able to have an open experience within, meaningful connections between various occupants can be made.
Couvert de Terre is a continuation of the land itself. An architectural element is reimagined through its relationship with the earth, offering spatial opportunities. The hope is to frame a new way of living together, recognizing how the earth provides and protects.
2025
Grid System
Two Axes:
1. Direct connection from Les Grands Ateliers to the end of the site
2. Angle provided by the protected forest that hugs a corner of the site
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1. Direct connection from Les Grands Ateliers to the end of the site
2. Angle provided by the protected forest that hugs a corner of the site
Master Plan
Dormitory
Office Building
Laboratory
Boiler Room
Technical Details
Site Model
