Matthew Pratt has been awarded third place in Dezeen and Bentley’s Start Something Powerful Competition with his proposal for subterranean desert sanctuaries to help future generations to flourish in arid climates.
The global design competition invited architects and designers to envisage innovative architecture or design concepts that could have a transformative effect on people’s lives over the next 100 years.
Through the design contest, Dezeen and Bentley sought to discover prototypes that could serve as a blueprint for future living, anticipating its needs, technologies and lifestyle trends.
Called Shadow of the Oases, Pratt’s proposal envisioned a future where people could thrive amid the harsh conditions of the desert landscape.
His concept proposes underground sanctuaries that use the earth’s natural insulating properties to moderate extreme temperatures, reducing reliance on artificial heating and cooling.
By using rammed earth as the primary building material and incorporating passive environmental design techniques, the homes are designed to be self-sufficient with minimal impact on the environment above.
The concept draws from ancient architectural techniques and historical structures such as the rock-carved city of Petra, the caves of Cappadocia and the troglodyte homes of Matmata in the Sahara, where subterranean living has long provided shelter from extreme climates.
The underground homes would be characterised by smooth, flowing lines that mimic the desert’s shifting sands to form an organic structure that integrates with its surroundings.
The spaces would be illuminated using advanced light-harnessing techniques, channelling natural light through strategically placed openings and reflective pools. This reduces the need for artificial lighting and creates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow.
Read more about the proposal below:
Shadows of the Oases by Matthew Pratt
London, UK
Third place
“In the vast, unforgiving desert where surface temperatures can be extreme, Shadow of the Oases offers a vision for sustainable living, reinterpreting the desert landscape through an innovative underground design.
“This concept reimagines how future generations might thrive in extreme environments. The design merges ancient architectural wisdom with modern sustainability principles, creating a sanctuary that echoes Bentley’s dedication to timeless beauty and advanced engineering.
“Shadow of the Oases is not just a response to the desert’s challenges but a celebration of its potential. By delving underground, the design finds refuge in the earth’s natural insulating properties, significantly reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling systems.
“The aesthetic of Shadow of the Oases pays homage to the desert’s raw beauty while leveraging cutting-edge technology to create a comfortable and sustainable living space. The underground homes are sculpted from the earth, creating an organic form that is both striking and harmonious with its surroundings.
“The underground spaces are illuminated using advanced light-harnessing techniques, channelling sunlight through strategically placed openings and reflective pools. This not only reduces the need for artificial lighting but also creates a dynamic play of light and shadow, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the interiors.
“By using the earth as the main building material and capitalising on passive environmental design techniques, the homes are designed to be self-sufficient and have minimal impact on the environment above.
“Shadow of the Oases offers a poetic yet practical vision for the future, where humanity can coexist with even the most extreme environments, creating a living space that is as elegant as it is functional. This concept stands as a testament to the potential of design to transform lives, offering a blueprint for future living that is deeply rooted in the earth and the environment.”
Dezeen and Bentley’s Start Something Powerful Competition is a global contest that called for pioneering proposals that could have a powerful impact on how people live over the next 100 years.
Through the design contest, Dezeen and Bentley aim to discover prototypes that could serve as a blueprint for future living, anticipating the needs, technologies and lifestyle trends for the next century.
The contest received entries from more than 34 countries around the world. Eight designs were shortlisted and are in the running for a share of the £30,000 prize pot.
We are unveiling one finalist a day from 15 October, culminating in the winner being announced on 17 October.
The winner will receive a top prize of £15,000, while the runner-up will receive £10,000 and the third-placed entrant will receive £5,000.
Find out more about the Start Something Powerful Competition ›
Partnership content
The Start Something Powerful Competition is a partnership between Dezeen and Bentley. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.
