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Terra Mater Trilogy: Three buildings exploring the unseen world

December 27, 2016

As much as he enjoyed the exciting ride of designing the series of underground architecture, his next move is to steer away from the ground. "I admire architects who don't repeat themselves. I don't want to have one signature style."
Photos: The allure of building underground
Villa Clessidra (2016) by LAAV Architects – As much as he enjoyed the exciting ride of designing the series of underground architecture, his next move is to steer away from the ground. "I admire architects who don't repeat themselves. I don't want to have one signature style."
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18 of 33
Wadi Rum Excavated Sanctuaries was Switzerland-based architect Rasem Kamal's thesis project at the Rice School of Architecture in 2015.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Wadi Rum Excavated Sanctuaries (2015) by Rasem Kamal – Wadi Rum Excavated Sanctuaries was Switzerland-based architect Rasem Kamal's thesis project at the Rice School of Architecture in 2015.
Hide Caption
19 of 33
Wadi Rum, a vast empty desert located in south of Jordan, was declared a world protected site by UNESCO in 2011. Its topography allowed the architect to excavate natural ground with a high flexibility of horizontal expansion.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Wadi Rum Excavated Sanctuaries (2015) by Rasem Kamal – Wadi Rum, a vast empty desert located in south of Jordan, was declared a world protected site by UNESCO in 2011. Its topography allowed the architect to excavate natural ground with a high flexibility of horizontal expansion.
Hide Caption
20 of 33
Kamal was inspired by the nests of ant colonies or formicary, an interconnected layout of family chambers underground.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Wadi Rum Excavated Sanctuaries (2015) by Rasem Kamal – Kamal was inspired by the nests of ant colonies or formicary, an interconnected layout of family chambers underground.
Hide Caption
21 of 33
A team of architects, headed by Bjarke Ingels and David Zahle, placed the design of the Danish National Maritime Museum underground to preserve the 60-year-old dock walls, creating an open view for visitors.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Danish National Maritime Museum (2013) by Bjarke Ingels Group – A team of architects, headed by Bjarke Ingels and David Zahle, placed the design of the Danish National Maritime Museum underground to preserve the 60-year-old dock walls, creating an open view for visitors.
Hide Caption
22 of 33
The sloping zig-zag bridges allow visitors to navigate within and around the dock, 23 ft (7 meters) below the ground.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Danish National Maritime Museum (2013) by Bjarke Ingels Group – The sloping zig-zag bridges allow visitors to navigate within and around the dock, 23 ft (7 meters) below the ground.
Hide Caption
23 of 33
The Earthscraper, a concept designed by <a href="http://www.bunkerarquitectura.com/" target="_blank">BNKR Arquitectura</a>, is another example of underground architecture. The inverted skyscraper is to be located in the Zocalo, the 190,000 square-foot historic square of Mexico City.
Photos: The allure of building underground
The Earthscraper by BNKR Arquitectura – The Earthscraper, a concept designed by BNKR Arquitectura, is another example of underground architecture. The inverted skyscraper is to be located in the Zocalo, the 190,000 square-foot historic square of Mexico City.
Hide Caption
24 of 33
Plunging 984 ft (300 m) into the ground, the 65-story glass and steel pyramid will have a mix of office and residential spaces.
Photos: The allure of building underground
The Earthscraper by BNKR Arquitectura – Plunging 984 ft (300 m) into the ground, the 65-story glass and steel pyramid will have a mix of office and residential spaces.
Hide Caption
25 of 33
A central void allows for a generous amount of natural light and ventilation into the structure, and layers of "earth lobbies" made of plants and trees are designed to improve air quality.
Photos: The allure of building underground
The Earthscraper by BNKR Arquitectura – A central void allows for a generous amount of natural light and ventilation into the structure, and layers of "earth lobbies" made of plants and trees are designed to improve air quality.
Hide Caption
26 of 33
Belgian architect Vincent Callebaut has revealed ambitious plans for a series of underwater eco-villages.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Aequorea (2015) by Vincent Callebaut Architectures – Belgian architect Vincent Callebaut has revealed ambitious plans for a series of underwater eco-villages.
Hide Caption
27 of 33
The Aequorea, housing a variety of facilities including a living space and sports fields, farms across 250 floors and reach a depth of up to 3,280 ft (1,000 m).
Photos: The allure of building underground
Aequorea (2015) by Vincent Callebaut Architectures – The Aequorea, housing a variety of facilities including a living space and sports fields, farms across 250 floors and reach a depth of up to 3,280 ft (1,000 m).
Hide Caption
28 of 33
The self-sufficient 'oceanscraper,' constructed using recycled plastics, can host up to 20,000 people in the future.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Aequorea (2015) by Vincent Callebaut Architectures – The self-sufficient 'oceanscraper,' constructed using recycled plastics, can host up to 20,000 people in the future.
Hide Caption
29 of 33
<a href="http://www.nlarchitects.nl/slideshow/112/" target="_blank">Loop House</a>, built in Heiry Art Valley in South Korea, is a single layered house with a continuous floor wrapped around a central courtyard.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Loop House (2006) by NL Architects + yo2 – Loop House, built in Heiry Art Valley in South Korea, is a single layered house with a continuous floor wrapped around a central courtyard.
Hide Caption
30 of 33
While the architects' original plan was to build a bungalow with garden, they had to push down part of the house to comply with zoning regulations.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Loop House (2006) by NL Architects + yo2 – While the architects' original plan was to build a bungalow with garden, they had to push down part of the house to comply with zoning regulations.
Hide Caption
31 of 33
CarTube, designed by London-based <a href="https://www.plparchitecture.com/" target="_blank">PLP Architecture</a>, combines electric cars and mass transit into an underground road system. Automated cars would be controlled to travel at a steady speed, which could reduce travel time by 75%.
Photos: The allure of building underground
CarTube (2016) by PLP Architecture – CarTube, designed by London-based PLP Architecture, combines electric cars and mass transit into an underground road system. Automated cars would be controlled to travel at a steady speed, which could reduce travel time by 75%.
Hide Caption
32 of 33
According to Lars Hesselgren, director of research at PLP, "CarTube has the potential to be the next best thing to teleportation and will revolutionize exiting cities and allow for unprecedented urban forms."
Photos: The allure of building underground
CarTube (2016) by PLP Architecture – According to Lars Hesselgren, director of research at PLP, "CarTube has the potential to be the next best thing to teleportation and will revolutionize exiting cities and allow for unprecedented urban forms."
Hide Caption
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Architect Laertis Vassiliou, founder of <a href="http://opaworks.com/" target="_blank">Open Platform for Architecture</a> (OPA) and <a href="http://www.laav.nl/" target="_blank">LAAV Architects</a>, developed this concept design, Casa Brutale. Images of the house built into a cliff went viral online. It will eventually be built in Lebanon.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Casa Brutale (2015) by OPA – Architect Laertis Vassiliou, founder of Open Platform for Architecture (OPA) and LAAV Architects, developed this concept design, Casa Brutale. Images of the house built into a cliff went viral online. It will eventually be built in Lebanon.
Hide Caption
1 of 33
Vassiliou is interested in exploring ways to build underground.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Casa Brutale (2015) by OPA – Vassiliou is interested in exploring ways to build underground.
Hide Caption
2 of 33
"For 3 months after we released this project, we were only replying emails. We worked really hard with the press," says Vassiliou, of his firm's Casa Brutale design.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Casa Brutale (2015) by OPA – "For 3 months after we released this project, we were only replying emails. We worked really hard with the press," says Vassiliou, of his firm's Casa Brutale design.
Hide Caption
3 of 33
The project, expected to be completed in 2018, is being constructed in Beirut, Lebanon in collaboration with Dutch consulting firm ARUP.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Casa Brutale (2015) by OPA – The project, expected to be completed in 2018, is being constructed in Beirut, Lebanon in collaboration with Dutch consulting firm ARUP.
Hide Caption
4 of 33
Casa Brutale will be located 5249 ft (1600 m) above sea level on Faqra mountain outside Beirut, Lebanon. "The site is between two mountains and the clouds form inside the valley. So you will be swimming, looking at clouds," says Vassiliou.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Casa Brutale (2015) by OPA – Casa Brutale will be located 5249 ft (1600 m) above sea level on Faqra mountain outside Beirut, Lebanon. "The site is between two mountains and the clouds form inside the valley. So you will be swimming, looking at clouds," says Vassiliou.
Hide Caption
5 of 33
<a href="http://opaworks.com/portfolio/the-bamiyan-cultural-centre-competition-2015/" target="_blank">The Plinth</a>, OPA's submission for the architectural competition to build The Bamiyan Cultural Centre in Afghanistan, is the first chapter of the firm's Terra Mater Trilogy.
Photos: The allure of building underground
The Plinth (2015) by OPA – The Plinth, OPA's submission for the architectural competition to build The Bamiyan Cultural Centre in Afghanistan, is the first chapter of the firm's Terra Mater Trilogy.
Hide Caption
6 of 33
According to Vassiliou, the title The Plinth is a cultural metaphor. "This building is not only a cultural center but also an archive of history of the Bamiyan Valley."
Photos: The allure of building underground
The Plinth (2015) by OPA – According to Vassiliou, the title The Plinth is a cultural metaphor. "This building is not only a cultural center but also an archive of history of the Bamiyan Valley."
Hide Caption
7 of 33
The Terra Mater Trilogy consists of three designs: The Plinth, The Holy Cross and Casa Brutale.
Photos: The allure of building underground
The Plinth (2015) by OPA – The Terra Mater Trilogy consists of three designs: The Plinth, The Holy Cross and Casa Brutale.
Hide Caption
8 of 33
<a href="http://opaworks.com/portfolio/lux-aeterna-holy-cross-chapel-transcendental-brutalism/" target="_blank">Lux Aeterna Holy Cross Chapel</a> was designed in 2015 and proposed to be located on the island of Serifos, facing the Aegean sea.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Lux Aeterna Holy Cross Chapel (2015) by OPA – Lux Aeterna Holy Cross Chapel was designed in 2015 and proposed to be located on the island of Serifos, facing the Aegean sea.
Hide Caption
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Constructed with simple materials of wood, glass, and concrete, the church conveys the architect's message of purity.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Lux Aeterna Holy Cross Chapel (2015) by OPA – Constructed with simple materials of wood, glass, and concrete, the church conveys the architect's message of purity.
Hide Caption
10 of 33
The shape of the building is that of an extruded cross.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Lux Aeterna Holy Cross Chapel (2015) by OPA – The shape of the building is that of an extruded cross.
Hide Caption
11 of 33
At night, the cross structure illuminates from inside the earth and functions like a light house. "This is how true belief should be. It should come from the inside, not from the outside," says the architect.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Lux Aeterna Holy Cross Chapel (2015) by OPA – At night, the cross structure illuminates from inside the earth and functions like a light house. "This is how true belief should be. It should come from the inside, not from the outside," says the architect.
Hide Caption
12 of 33
The chapel's glass window allows for light to shine through.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Lux Aeterna Holy Cross Chapel (2015) by OPA – The chapel's glass window allows for light to shine through.
Hide Caption
13 of 33
This bright concrete building is an homage to Le Corbusier's "Ronchamp" church and Tadao Ando's "Church of Light," two of Vassiliou's favorite architects.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Lux Aeterna Holy Cross Chapel (2015) by OPA – This bright concrete building is an homage to Le Corbusier's "Ronchamp" church and Tadao Ando's "Church of Light," two of Vassiliou's favorite architects.
Hide Caption
14 of 33
<a href="http://www.laav.nl/#/villa-clessidra/" target="_blank">Villa Clessidra</a> is Vassiliou's newest project above ground. This 3-level cubic house is made of a steel frame and bare concrete that accentuates the use of glass, water, and mirrors in the middle. "I like simple things and honest materials like light and water. I like reflections."
Photos: The allure of building underground
Villa Clessidra (2016) by LAAV Architects – Villa Clessidra is Vassiliou's newest project above ground. This 3-level cubic house is made of a steel frame and bare concrete that accentuates the use of glass, water, and mirrors in the middle. "I like simple things and honest materials like light and water. I like reflections."
Hide Caption
15 of 33
The project gained the name Clessidra, Italian for hourglass, from its resemblance to the structure of an hourglass, and to represent a place where time stops.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Villa Clessidra (2016) by LAAV Architects – The project gained the name Clessidra, Italian for hourglass, from its resemblance to the structure of an hourglass, and to represent a place where time stops.
Hide Caption
16 of 33
Vassiliou placed the building in an imaginary pine forest in the Dutch dunes to create a place for relaxation and meditation.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Villa Clessidra (2016) by LAAV Architects – Vassiliou placed the building in an imaginary pine forest in the Dutch dunes to create a place for relaxation and meditation.
Hide Caption
17 of 33
As much as he enjoyed the exciting ride of designing the series of underground architecture, his next move is to steer away from the ground. "I admire architects who don't repeat themselves. I don't want to have one signature style."
Photos: The allure of building underground
Villa Clessidra (2016) by LAAV Architects – As much as he enjoyed the exciting ride of designing the series of underground architecture, his next move is to steer away from the ground. "I admire architects who don't repeat themselves. I don't want to have one signature style."
Hide Caption
18 of 33
Wadi Rum Excavated Sanctuaries was Switzerland-based architect Rasem Kamal's thesis project at the Rice School of Architecture in 2015.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Wadi Rum Excavated Sanctuaries (2015) by Rasem Kamal – Wadi Rum Excavated Sanctuaries was Switzerland-based architect Rasem Kamal's thesis project at the Rice School of Architecture in 2015.
Hide Caption
19 of 33
Wadi Rum, a vast empty desert located in south of Jordan, was declared a world protected site by UNESCO in 2011. Its topography allowed the architect to excavate natural ground with a high flexibility of horizontal expansion.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Wadi Rum Excavated Sanctuaries (2015) by Rasem Kamal – Wadi Rum, a vast empty desert located in south of Jordan, was declared a world protected site by UNESCO in 2011. Its topography allowed the architect to excavate natural ground with a high flexibility of horizontal expansion.
Hide Caption
20 of 33
Kamal was inspired by the nests of ant colonies or formicary, an interconnected layout of family chambers underground.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Wadi Rum Excavated Sanctuaries (2015) by Rasem Kamal – Kamal was inspired by the nests of ant colonies or formicary, an interconnected layout of family chambers underground.
Hide Caption
21 of 33
A team of architects, headed by Bjarke Ingels and David Zahle, placed the design of the Danish National Maritime Museum underground to preserve the 60-year-old dock walls, creating an open view for visitors.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Danish National Maritime Museum (2013) by Bjarke Ingels Group – A team of architects, headed by Bjarke Ingels and David Zahle, placed the design of the Danish National Maritime Museum underground to preserve the 60-year-old dock walls, creating an open view for visitors.
Hide Caption
22 of 33
The sloping zig-zag bridges allow visitors to navigate within and around the dock, 23 ft (7 meters) below the ground.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Danish National Maritime Museum (2013) by Bjarke Ingels Group – The sloping zig-zag bridges allow visitors to navigate within and around the dock, 23 ft (7 meters) below the ground.
Hide Caption
23 of 33
The Earthscraper, a concept designed by <a href="http://www.bunkerarquitectura.com/" target="_blank">BNKR Arquitectura</a>, is another example of underground architecture. The inverted skyscraper is to be located in the Zocalo, the 190,000 square-foot historic square of Mexico City.
Photos: The allure of building underground
The Earthscraper by BNKR Arquitectura – The Earthscraper, a concept designed by BNKR Arquitectura, is another example of underground architecture. The inverted skyscraper is to be located in the Zocalo, the 190,000 square-foot historic square of Mexico City.
Hide Caption
24 of 33
Plunging 984 ft (300 m) into the ground, the 65-story glass and steel pyramid will have a mix of office and residential spaces.
Photos: The allure of building underground
The Earthscraper by BNKR Arquitectura – Plunging 984 ft (300 m) into the ground, the 65-story glass and steel pyramid will have a mix of office and residential spaces.
Hide Caption
25 of 33
A central void allows for a generous amount of natural light and ventilation into the structure, and layers of "earth lobbies" made of plants and trees are designed to improve air quality.
Photos: The allure of building underground
The Earthscraper by BNKR Arquitectura – A central void allows for a generous amount of natural light and ventilation into the structure, and layers of "earth lobbies" made of plants and trees are designed to improve air quality.
Hide Caption
26 of 33
Belgian architect Vincent Callebaut has revealed ambitious plans for a series of underwater eco-villages.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Aequorea (2015) by Vincent Callebaut Architectures – Belgian architect Vincent Callebaut has revealed ambitious plans for a series of underwater eco-villages.
Hide Caption
27 of 33
The Aequorea, housing a variety of facilities including a living space and sports fields, farms across 250 floors and reach a depth of up to 3,280 ft (1,000 m).
Photos: The allure of building underground
Aequorea (2015) by Vincent Callebaut Architectures – The Aequorea, housing a variety of facilities including a living space and sports fields, farms across 250 floors and reach a depth of up to 3,280 ft (1,000 m).
Hide Caption
28 of 33
The self-sufficient 'oceanscraper,' constructed using recycled plastics, can host up to 20,000 people in the future.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Aequorea (2015) by Vincent Callebaut Architectures – The self-sufficient 'oceanscraper,' constructed using recycled plastics, can host up to 20,000 people in the future.
Hide Caption
29 of 33
<a href="http://www.nlarchitects.nl/slideshow/112/" target="_blank">Loop House</a>, built in Heiry Art Valley in South Korea, is a single layered house with a continuous floor wrapped around a central courtyard.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Loop House (2006) by NL Architects + yo2 – Loop House, built in Heiry Art Valley in South Korea, is a single layered house with a continuous floor wrapped around a central courtyard.
Hide Caption
30 of 33
While the architects' original plan was to build a bungalow with garden, they had to push down part of the house to comply with zoning regulations.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Loop House (2006) by NL Architects + yo2 – While the architects' original plan was to build a bungalow with garden, they had to push down part of the house to comply with zoning regulations.
Hide Caption
31 of 33
CarTube, designed by London-based <a href="https://www.plparchitecture.com/" target="_blank">PLP Architecture</a>, combines electric cars and mass transit into an underground road system. Automated cars would be controlled to travel at a steady speed, which could reduce travel time by 75%.
Photos: The allure of building underground
CarTube (2016) by PLP Architecture – CarTube, designed by London-based PLP Architecture, combines electric cars and mass transit into an underground road system. Automated cars would be controlled to travel at a steady speed, which could reduce travel time by 75%.
Hide Caption
32 of 33
According to Lars Hesselgren, director of research at PLP, "CarTube has the potential to be the next best thing to teleportation and will revolutionize exiting cities and allow for unprecedented urban forms."
Photos: The allure of building underground
CarTube (2016) by PLP Architecture – According to Lars Hesselgren, director of research at PLP, "CarTube has the potential to be the next best thing to teleportation and will revolutionize exiting cities and allow for unprecedented urban forms."
Hide Caption
33 of 33
Architect Laertis Vassiliou, founder of <a href="http://opaworks.com/" target="_blank">Open Platform for Architecture</a> (OPA) and <a href="http://www.laav.nl/" target="_blank">LAAV Architects</a>, developed this concept design, Casa Brutale. Images of the house built into a cliff went viral online. It will eventually be built in Lebanon.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Casa Brutale (2015) by OPA – Architect Laertis Vassiliou, founder of Open Platform for Architecture (OPA) and LAAV Architects, developed this concept design, Casa Brutale. Images of the house built into a cliff went viral online. It will eventually be built in Lebanon.
Hide Caption
1 of 33
Vassiliou is interested in exploring ways to build underground.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Casa Brutale (2015) by OPA – Vassiliou is interested in exploring ways to build underground.
Hide Caption
2 of 33
"For 3 months after we released this project, we were only replying emails. We worked really hard with the press," says Vassiliou, of his firm's Casa Brutale design.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Casa Brutale (2015) by OPA – "For 3 months after we released this project, we were only replying emails. We worked really hard with the press," says Vassiliou, of his firm's Casa Brutale design.
Hide Caption
3 of 33
The project, expected to be completed in 2018, is being constructed in Beirut, Lebanon in collaboration with Dutch consulting firm ARUP.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Casa Brutale (2015) by OPA – The project, expected to be completed in 2018, is being constructed in Beirut, Lebanon in collaboration with Dutch consulting firm ARUP.
Hide Caption
4 of 33
Casa Brutale will be located 5249 ft (1600 m) above sea level on Faqra mountain outside Beirut, Lebanon. "The site is between two mountains and the clouds form inside the valley. So you will be swimming, looking at clouds," says Vassiliou.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Casa Brutale (2015) by OPA – Casa Brutale will be located 5249 ft (1600 m) above sea level on Faqra mountain outside Beirut, Lebanon. "The site is between two mountains and the clouds form inside the valley. So you will be swimming, looking at clouds," says Vassiliou.
Hide Caption
5 of 33
<a href="http://opaworks.com/portfolio/the-bamiyan-cultural-centre-competition-2015/" target="_blank">The Plinth</a>, OPA's submission for the architectural competition to build The Bamiyan Cultural Centre in Afghanistan, is the first chapter of the firm's Terra Mater Trilogy.
Photos: The allure of building underground
The Plinth (2015) by OPA – The Plinth, OPA's submission for the architectural competition to build The Bamiyan Cultural Centre in Afghanistan, is the first chapter of the firm's Terra Mater Trilogy.
Hide Caption
6 of 33
According to Vassiliou, the title The Plinth is a cultural metaphor. "This building is not only a cultural center but also an archive of history of the Bamiyan Valley."
Photos: The allure of building underground
The Plinth (2015) by OPA – According to Vassiliou, the title The Plinth is a cultural metaphor. "This building is not only a cultural center but also an archive of history of the Bamiyan Valley."
Hide Caption
7 of 33
The Terra Mater Trilogy consists of three designs: The Plinth, The Holy Cross and Casa Brutale.
Photos: The allure of building underground
The Plinth (2015) by OPA – The Terra Mater Trilogy consists of three designs: The Plinth, The Holy Cross and Casa Brutale.
Hide Caption
8 of 33
<a href="http://opaworks.com/portfolio/lux-aeterna-holy-cross-chapel-transcendental-brutalism/" target="_blank">Lux Aeterna Holy Cross Chapel</a> was designed in 2015 and proposed to be located on the island of Serifos, facing the Aegean sea.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Lux Aeterna Holy Cross Chapel (2015) by OPA – Lux Aeterna Holy Cross Chapel was designed in 2015 and proposed to be located on the island of Serifos, facing the Aegean sea.
Hide Caption
9 of 33
Constructed with simple materials of wood, glass, and concrete, the church conveys the architect's message of purity.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Lux Aeterna Holy Cross Chapel (2015) by OPA – Constructed with simple materials of wood, glass, and concrete, the church conveys the architect's message of purity.
Hide Caption
10 of 33
The shape of the building is that of an extruded cross.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Lux Aeterna Holy Cross Chapel (2015) by OPA – The shape of the building is that of an extruded cross.
Hide Caption
11 of 33
At night, the cross structure illuminates from inside the earth and functions like a light house. "This is how true belief should be. It should come from the inside, not from the outside," says the architect.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Lux Aeterna Holy Cross Chapel (2015) by OPA – At night, the cross structure illuminates from inside the earth and functions like a light house. "This is how true belief should be. It should come from the inside, not from the outside," says the architect.
Hide Caption
12 of 33
The chapel's glass window allows for light to shine through.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Lux Aeterna Holy Cross Chapel (2015) by OPA – The chapel's glass window allows for light to shine through.
Hide Caption
13 of 33
This bright concrete building is an homage to Le Corbusier's "Ronchamp" church and Tadao Ando's "Church of Light," two of Vassiliou's favorite architects.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Lux Aeterna Holy Cross Chapel (2015) by OPA – This bright concrete building is an homage to Le Corbusier's "Ronchamp" church and Tadao Ando's "Church of Light," two of Vassiliou's favorite architects.
Hide Caption
14 of 33
<a href="http://www.laav.nl/#/villa-clessidra/" target="_blank">Villa Clessidra</a> is Vassiliou's newest project above ground. This 3-level cubic house is made of a steel frame and bare concrete that accentuates the use of glass, water, and mirrors in the middle. "I like simple things and honest materials like light and water. I like reflections."
Photos: The allure of building underground
Villa Clessidra (2016) by LAAV Architects – Villa Clessidra is Vassiliou's newest project above ground. This 3-level cubic house is made of a steel frame and bare concrete that accentuates the use of glass, water, and mirrors in the middle. "I like simple things and honest materials like light and water. I like reflections."
Hide Caption
15 of 33
The project gained the name Clessidra, Italian for hourglass, from its resemblance to the structure of an hourglass, and to represent a place where time stops.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Villa Clessidra (2016) by LAAV Architects – The project gained the name Clessidra, Italian for hourglass, from its resemblance to the structure of an hourglass, and to represent a place where time stops.
Hide Caption
16 of 33
Vassiliou placed the building in an imaginary pine forest in the Dutch dunes to create a place for relaxation and meditation.
Photos: The allure of building underground
Villa Clessidra (2016) by LAAV Architects – Vassiliou placed the building in an imaginary pine forest in the Dutch dunes to create a place for relaxation and meditation.
Hide Caption
17 of 33
house inside a cliff 1casa brutale
house inside a cliff 2house inside a cliff 3
the plinth 1house inside a cliff 4
the plinth 2the plinth 3
holy cross chapel 2
Holy cross chapel 1
holy cross chapel 6
holy cross chapel night
holy cross chapel 5
holy cross chapel 4
villa clessidrea
villa clessidra
villa clessidra 2
villa clessidra 3
wadi rum 1
wadi rum 2
wadi rum 3
Danish maritime museum 1
danish maritime museum 2
earthscraper 1
earthscraper 2
earthscraper 3
AEQUOREA 40
AEQUOREA 2
AEQUOREA 49
Loop house 1
Loop house 2
cartube 1
cartube new

Story highlights

  • Open Platform for Architecture (OPA) has conceived of three underground designs, including a chapel
  • Gallery features OPA's Terra Mater Trilogy concepts, as well as underground designs by architects from around the world
(CNN)Netherlands-based firm Open Platform for Architecture (OPA) is breaking conventions by building into the earth, rather than above it.
To date, OPA has already conceived of three promising underground designs -- The Plinth, The Holy Cross and Casa Brutale -- collectively named the Terra Matter Trilogy.
The Plinth was designed to be a cultural center in Bamiyan Valley, Afghanistan as part of a competition. The Holy Cross, if built, would be a place of worship.
The third vision, Casa Brutale, was commissioned after images for the house wedged into a cliff, went viral online. It will eventually be located in Lebanon.
So, what's the attraction of life underground? CNN Style speaks to Laertis Vassiliou, cofounder of OPA, about the future of architecture.
Revealed: London's secret underground railway system
CNN: Architects these days are exploring more diverse landscape opportunities, designing for example, projects located underwater, in the forest, in the air, and so on. What inspired you to go underground?
Vassiliou: Underground architecture has been around since the medieval times, and longer. People lived in caves, and dug holes to build houses. It's not something new. I wrote a thesis on underground buildings and their past at the National Technical Institute of Athens in 2006.
The Plinth, designed by OPA
The Plinth, designed by OPA
But that [the thesis] is what got me interested in what was still unexplored when building underground, and the right opportunity came with the Bamiyan Cultural Center in Afghanistan. I wanted go back to the roots, back to earth to see what happens. So I went down and placed the building inside the earth instead of above it.
Subterranean secrets: World's creepiest underground marvels
World's creepiest underground marvels
CNN: What are the benefits of living underground?
Vassiliou: There are many benefits, although I believe that we still cannot exploit it fully. There are benefits of earth's thermal insulation, and you can also be protected from harmful environmental issues like UV [ultraviolet waves].
It is very safe, unless you are in a very seismic continent. There is also the negative perception that people already have of this underground world and the darkness that comes with it, so there's functional benefits versus psychology.
CNN: Living underground often has a dark and eerie connotation. What elements did you put in in your design to make these underground structures more appealing?
Vassiliou: People hate underground architecture because humans are meant to live on earth, not inside earth. My ambition through this trilogy was to reconsider underground architecture and make people love it.
For Casa Brutale, I put a large façade towards the stunning view and the light reflecting onto the pool water creates an aquarium-like feeling. Enough playful light makes it more atmospheric and transcendental.
Casa Brutale, designed by OPA
Casa Brutale, designed by OPA
CNN: Was the chapel of the Holy Cross harder to design than the other two because you had to consider religious elements? What religious design elements did you include?
Vassiliou: Mainly it's the cross. The cross as a typology or as a shape has been a very popular shape in designing churches, but making a façade and organizing the space into an extruded cross was very challenging. I also built religious iconography into the concrete, but the whole space is pure and is just focused on the atmosphere.
The Holy Cross, designed by OPA
The Holy Cross, designed by OPA
CNN: Your second underground project, Casa Brutale, became an internet sensation. And the project will eventually be built. What's the latest on this?
Vassiliou: It's been a very exciting ride but I could never say that it's been a smooth journey. We worked really hard with the press because for the idea to come true, ideally it'd have to become an internet sensation. So I told my design team, 'If Kim Kardashian can break the internet with a picture of her butt, we can do it with some interesting architecture, too.' Since then, we've had a lot of new projects and clients and it's going well.
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CNN: Were your renderings and the surrounding landscape based on an actual place on earth, or did you just picture a cliff when you conceived of its design?
Vassiliou: I pictured breathtaking cliffs by the Aegean sea, and Greek islands in the Cyclades. Folegandros and Serifos are the actual places where I rendered. They are very beautiful places with or without my building.

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