Origo is a large-scale installation by Colombian artist Delcy Morelos created for the Sculpture Court at the Barbican Centre in London. Measuring 24 metres across, the work was constructed from more than 30 tonnes of soil and clay combined with hay, plant seeds, and aromatic spices including cinnamon and cloves.
The oval-shaped structure was formed entirely by hand and rises around a central open courtyard. Its design responds to both the material qualities of earth and the surrounding brutalist architecture, creating a monumental volume that appears to float above a recessed base.
The installation features a series of carved openings inspired by ancient burial sites that lead visitors through enclosed tunnels and into the central courtyard. Openings within the earthen walls introduce natural light into the interior while the spice-infused materials create a distinctive sensory experience. Standing approximately four metres tall, the structure combines large-scale architectural presence with intimate circulation routes.
Image Credit: Thomas Adank
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Sensory-infused Architecture
- Blends scent, texture, and light within built forms to create multisensory public environments that redefine visitor engagement.
- Temporary Biogenic Structures
- A move toward earth-based, seed-bearing, and compostable constructions that prioritize lifecycle and ecological integration over permanence.
- Handcrafted Monumental Installations
- Emphasis on large-scale, materially expressive works formed by artisanal techniques that contrast with industrialized fabrication methods.
Sectors Adopting This
- Architecture and Urban Design
- Public and institutional projects that integrate living materials and sensory programming to reshape how cities host communal rituals and movement.
- Event and Cultural Venues
- Museums, galleries, and festivals experimenting with walkable, biodegradable installations to offer immersive narratives and extend visitor dwell time.
- Materials and Biomaterials
- Companies developing soil-based composites, spice-infused binders, and seed-integrated substrates that challenge conventional building-material supply chains.
