Casulo - Terra X Terra Submission

Miami is a city that lives amid the fear of sea-level rise. Whereas recent events brought light upon the fragility of the local infrastructure, it is important to move forward holding onto the possibility of a better future. With that in mind, a pavilion to the local community should foster hope while also respecting the lost lives of many residents.

 In nature, butterflies are often associated with rebirth and transformation: this is a place devoted especially to that. “Casulo", signifying cocoon in Portuguese, is a space created for both introspection and extrospection. As we know, during the process in which a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly, it creates a cocoon around itself to allow for such transformation. The center of the structure acts in such a way – only allowing one visitor at a time to enter and reflect, and eventually go to the outside world into the collective space, where they can share thoughts.

The intent of the procession around the space is to foster social interaction underneath and around the structure, and eventually lead the user to the small central area dedicated to reflection and peacefulness.

Ideally, due to Miami's hot weather throughout the year, the material to be utilized that would still allow for light to perforate the space would be either a perforated mesh/seamless fabric or a 3d printed biodegradable bamboo, as has been previously done in Miami's Design District installations. The goal would be for the place to allow some shade while still allowing sunlight to pass through.

Miami is a city so well known for loudness and festivities that we may forget the residents could use a few moments a day to sit and reflect. When ongoing traumatizing experiences like the recent Surfside collapse, many have struggled to share their thoughts and insecurities about the incident. Spaces dedicated to gathering and sharing these vulnerable experiences could allow the residents to finally be able to express their emotions.  These pavilions could be used around the city to promote mental health and well-being in the coming years- the shape of the pavilion itself could change, but the main rule would be to always have at least one area of isolation and reflection and one social space. This project could help encourage a change in the way the residents of Miami live today.