With a blend of innovative research and traditional soil-construction techniques, Grounded fosters an interdisciplinary narrative that broadens global understanding and encourages meaningful dialogue. It brings together visions of the future that equally value life above and below the soil, therefore challenging us to consider the profound impacts of human activities – such as construction, mining and industrial development – on the surface and in the deeper layers of the earth. The exhibition invites reflection on the often-hidden consequences of these activities, including the loss of biodiversity and the erasure of cultural histories. Inspired by Türkiye’s rich heritage, particularly archaeological sites such as Göbeklitepe, the project highlights the importance of integrating traditional practices that illustrate ecological understanding with modern sustainable architectural approaches. This vision seeks to honour both environmental and cultural legacies.

‘With Grounded, we invite visitors to view soil not as something separate, but as an integral part of the same fabric of life that surrounds us. It’s not merely a surface beneath us or a resource to be extracted; rather, it’s a dense, intelligent world in its own right – one we’re already part of. Through material experiments, artistic documentation and scientific observation, the exhibition encourages us to rethink our role in this dynamic exchange. It prompts us to recognise the structures we erode and the possibilities we often overlook. In doing so, it suggests ways of living and building that don’t impose themselves but instead listen to and engage with the environment.’

—Ceren Erdem and Bilge Kalfa