in) between

(in) between soils is a framework for an ecosystem that uses loam clay earth from the site to build a planter that forms the soil for plants to grow while being connected to its adjacent plant life.

conventional (in) between Competition, Winter 2020, shortlisted Team: ONE-AFTR Site: Quebec, Jardin de Metis

COVID-19 has revealed our appreciation for the outdoors and plant life, but most importantly a need for a renewed understanding among nature, built environment and humans. Yet, most of our exposure to plant life in urban settings are defined by planters and pots that isolate plants from the greater ecological network below ground level. (in) between soils recalibrates the relationship among nature, built environment, and humans by subjecting architecture to become part of the ecological cycle.

The garden is framed around rammed earth walls made from loam, sand, and gavel from the site. The three components form the landscape of the garden: the west of the wall is adjacent to the forest, padded with loam to form a solid mound, the east is adjacent to the garden’s walkway, loosely formed with sand to allow for movement, and the central path is formed with gravel. Visitors can contemplate our placement in the world as they walk in, on, around, and between the paths defined by the rammed earth wall that extends the natural habitation into the built environment.

west elevation

north elevation

wall assembly diagram