BLACK ROCK CITY MASTERPLAN

Location

Black Rock City, USA

Promoter

Black Rock City Ministry of Urban Planning

Result

Selected Design – International Design Competition

Year

2016

Design Team

Sergio Bianchi with Chiara Pellegrin, Simone Fracasso

A Navajo healing mandala representing 4 snakes that spiral out in 4 directions is the main source of inspiration for the plan. Just as Burning Man, the mandala, once its purpose is fulfilled, is ‘erased’, leaving nothing behind except the transformative healing energy it has created.

The temple faces East, just as the Navajo mandalas faced East to receive divine blessing and face the Unknown. The North and South snakes are passageways that stem from the burning man and gradually elevate as they spiral out, offering a raised view of the playa as well as providing shelter from the sun. The East and West snakes are passageways on ground level.

Orobouros encircles the city and mimicks the shape of Abraxa, the Thomas More’s utopian island.