The Visiting School will explore innovative ways of designing shelters to respond to natural disasters in the context of the 40,000 km area of the Pacific Ocean, known as the Ring of Fire. Stretching across 29 countries, the Ring of Fire is responsible for 90 percent of earthquakes, the majority of the largest tsunamis, and volcano eruptions worldwide.

Considering the significant impact these events have on human settlements, we will use architectural methods to explore new, adaptable, and replicable forms of shelter using simple fabrication methods to address the challenges of scarce technology, materials, tools, and resources.

By means of collaborative design thinking, this second version of the AAVS Ring of Fire aims to explore a smarter, transferable, and faster form of reconstruction, with a particular focus on resilient systems, material research, and experimental design. The work will conclude with the construction of a 1:1 scale prototype that will have the potential to be easily scaled and replicated in various locations within the Ring of Fire.

Prominent Features of the workshop/ skills developed

The workshop will consider introductory lecture sessions and an action-reflection methodology based on solving questions through practical empirical processes. Through a multi-scale iterative approach, this AAVS will operate as a design research laboratory.

Aiming to tackle spatial, formal, material, aesthetic, and constructive concerns, a "mid-tech" architectural system is planned to be designed, combining high-tech design and low-tech assembly.

The workshop will focus, include, and/or develop:

● Architectural material systems.

● Design and fabrication methods.

● Experimental design processes (computational design, physical prototyping).

● Post-catastrophe resilient design strategies.

● Lectures on post-catastrophe architecture.

● Site visit to Santiago’s iconic architectural and natural landmarks.

Location

In order to build up a global discussion on architecture’s responses to natural disasters, the AAVS is envisioned as a long-term nomadic programme that takes place in a number of locations and cities within the Pacific Ocean’s Ring of Fire.

The 2025 edition of AAVS Ring of Fire will unfold in Santiago, Chile; one of the largest, most densely populated cities in Latin America.

Characterized by a vibrant blend of tradition and innovation, its diverse and mixed tapestry of architectural expressions articulate a unique relationship with its natural landscape and geographic features, enhancing its urban richness while also exposing it to significant vulnerability when it comes to potential natural disasters.

Santiago has suffered a series of earthquakes throughout its history, with the most recent and notable one in 2010, an 8.8 Richter scale earthquake with an epicenter 500 km south (the 5th biggest earthquake ever recorded globally). The city is situated directly above the active San Ramon Fault, a geological fault known for its segmented structure and shallow depth. Recent paleoseismology studies confirm the fault's capacity to generate large magnitude destructive earthquakes, capable of affecting a high-populated urban area.

Local Academic Partner

The workshop will take place at Universidad del Desarrollo’s (UDD) Architecture Faculty Campus, located in the eastern area of Santiago, nestled against the backdrop of the Andes Mountains.

In addition to on-campus theoretical and design research sessions, the workshop presents a valuable opportunity for participants to broaden their perspectives, deepen their cultural insights, and enhance their knowledge as architectural designers by immersing themselves in Chilean architecture, culture, and urban life. To facilitate this, a dedicated day will be allocated for visits to iconic local buildings and the renowned works of Chilean architects, including Pritzker Prize laureate Alejandro Aravena's ELEMENTAL and Smiljan Radic.