Exedra
Installation Competition - Horst Festival
January 2026
Belgium
Exedra redefines the boundaries surrounding the fire pit and the existing non-paved tree area through a lightweight wooden structure.
The installation is organized around two complementary, partially covered volumes on two ends (North/South) connected by an elevated platform that surrounds the fire pit, preserving its irregular geometry and opening towards the middle in order to enhance and valorize the existing trees that provide a natural canopy as shelter.
The North end volume is smaller, quieter, and inviting to introspection, offering a more intimate and peaceful atmosphere, maintaining visual contact with the fire past the tree trunks while remaining slightly withdrawn from the crowd.
The South end one, instead, is wider; it is designed for gathering, conversation, and collective presence around the fire. Both volumes feature built-in platforms that allow one to sit comfortably or lie down. They are semi-enclosed
spaces defined by translucent fabrics on their façade. This reveals the silhouettes of activities inside the installation—like Chinese shadows—subtly inviting visitors to enter and inhabit this new shared space.
The raised platform that connects the two poles is the central meeting point. It’s not just a walkway—it’s a place where people can sit, gather, and watch what’s happening. The whole installation is built around and under the trees. Together, they form a flexible common area: an open space that everyone can use and enjoy.
