Since this place was colonized in 1847 by LDS settlers moving westwards, a narrative has baked itself into the landscape: that of building Eden from an empty but holy desert. This narrative necessitates the emptiness of the desert. At the time of colonial inception, this place was already sacred and inhabited, not only by people, but also by millions of plants, reptiles, amphibians, microbes, birds and megafauna. Treating the desert as an empty wasteland shrinks deserts’ ecological, material and cultural liveliness, justifying colonization, displacement, death and misuse. Our lake’s impending disappearance is part of a legacy of toxicity produced by the “emptiness” of deserts. If nothing is of worth in the deserts, then any drop of water that makes it to the desert or our lake is wasted.

The outcomes of this project seek to reenchant the land and develop work that sees this place as precious, fascinating and not at all empty. Four smaller projects, including a glossary of place language and a large ceramic sculpture, investigate place from an environmental humanities perspective and form the base for the architectural concept. The architecture is developed from an understanding that we are at the cusp of knowing the future of our home in the next few years, and we peer through a narrowing sliver.

The architecture has two main components: a large earthwork (2,000 square feet) and a small chapel (500 square feet). The earthwork is a long precessional space, but it could also be used for gathering or performance, such as a flute recital. The chapel is a simple, quiet space with a seating platform, table and view. This space can open up via a multi-slider to accommodate small celebrations or gatherings. This place is both reflective and celebratory; its simple gesture emphasizes and interacts with the landscape it is settled within.

Jury Comments

“The drawings in this project are beautifully executed, with a simple yet compelling concept centered around a chapel constructed from reused trestle wood. The tectonic quality of the design is strong, complemented by a view corridor carved out of earthwork that ties the elements together seamlessly.”

“Graphically, the project is quite striking, creating its own unique world. This is an important lesson for students — to craft and convey their story in a way that is true to their vision.”

“Rooted in Utah’s Great Salt Lake Watershed, the project demonstrates a strong sense of place and balance between the building and its environment, emphasizing the significance of localized architecture.”