In a remarkable confluence of creativity and ingenuity, two pioneering projects, The In-between Scape and Transitorre, are redefining the Petralia Soprana Salt Mine in Sicily. These visionary developments challenge traditional notions of space by creating a dynamic intersection where education intertwines with leisure, and nature harmonizes with architecture. The projects invite visitors to engage deeply with their surroundings, transforming the salt mine into an immersive experience that encourages exploration and interaction.

These projects are part of the Architecture for Landscape program conducted by YACademy, an esteemed institution dedicated to cultivating tomorrow's architectural talent. Drawing on over a decade of experience in designing within extraordinary natural sites, YACademy's program offers a unique educational journey focused on creating context-driven architecture. Participants are trained to design sustainable and impactful structures that resonate with their natural environments.

The Architecture for Landscape program not only equips designers with essential skills but also emphasizes real-world application through an extensive curriculum that includes lectures from master architects, exclusive site visits, practical workshops, and rigorous design reviews. This comprehensive approach ensures that graduates are well-prepared to reconnect human design with the natural world while being inspired by the landscapes that surround them. Additionally, the program provides students with internships at prestigious architectural firms, further enhancing their professional growth.

For aspiring architects, the opportunity to work on a unique subterranean landscape in the heart of Sicily, especially alongside one of Europes leading architecture studios, is nothing short of a dream. For the latest cohort of YACademys Architecture for Landscape course, this dream became a reality under the guidance of Patrick Lth, the director of Snhetta's Austrian branch. Lth led the students in an ambitious project to reimagine a disused quarry located in the picturesque hills of Petralia Sopranaa site characterized by its surreal, otherworldly beauty that transports visitors beyond the confines of time and space.

The students faced the challenge of conceptualizing designs that harmonize with the mysterious underground landscape, a contemporary remnant of industrial activity, situated in one of the most evocative settings on the planet. Their final projects reflected a keen understanding of this unique context.

One standout proposal, The In-between Scape, was crafted by students Hadeel Ayed, Vera Glazeva, and Woranitta Sukwattanasombat. Their design revolves around themes of balance and connection, seeking to fill the void created between the surface and the underground. The project envisions a bridge that links existing programs with the exterior of the salt mine, introducing functional spaces that serve both educational and recreational purposes. By creatively integrating three distinct zones, the proposal aims to enhance the Petralia Soprana Salt Mine experience, featuring defined boundaries, a primary entrance, light pillars, and functional areas such as indoor galleries, workshops, a sculpture garden, and a restaurant.

Another innovative project, Transitorre, proposed by Luis Castro, Ingridth Hopp, and Taryn Traest, envisions a tower as a catalyst for human interaction and dialogue between the environment and its users. This design includes a pathway leading to a piazza, a visitor center, and a striking tower that collectively create an engaging experience for visitors. The use of innovative materials, including horizontal steel studs, steel cables, and salt panels, contributes to a unique facade that filters light and serves as an aesthetic feature, enhancing the building's interaction with its natural surroundings.

Excitingly, YACademy has just launched the next edition of its Architecture for Landscape course, continuing its commitment to providing young architects with real design challenges in collaboration with esteemed international firms. This upcoming workshop will focus on the re-functionalization and preservation of Asinara Park in Sardinia. Students will be guided by Andreas Fries, a partner at Herzog & de Meuron, and will have the opportunity to visit Asinara Park to gather inspiration and references for their design projects.

For those interested in participating in this transformative educational experience, further details about the course can be found on YACademys website.