The Sanctuary of One Part II: How Would This Actually Be Built?
✧ 🌙 Dream Project: Moon Dial Sanctuary ✧
Hilltop Grove Near the California Coast
How Would This Actually Be Built?
Designing a dream is one thing. Building it — especially in California — is another.
This post begins to explore how a concept like the Pavilion of One could actually be constructed. It's a landscape-rich, symbolically loaded structure, and yet it must meet very real criteria: sustainability goals, seismic resilience, wildfire protection, and accessibility standards.
Ancient Lessons, Modern Materials
Roman concrete and modern eco-friendly techniques meet in an imagined space — part myth, part building site, all grounded in earth.
As California architects, we are now expected to align with Net Zero construction — a tall order, especially when the very materials we rely on most (like concrete) have traditionally been among the highest carbon emitters on the planet.
Even William Morgan's famous Dune Houses used a cementitious gunite mix to shape their iconic forms. Nearly all “earth-based” building systems today — from rammed earth to superadobe — incorporate concrete or other stabilizers in some way:
- ♦ Rammed earth often includes 5–10% cement for stabilization
- ♦ Earthbag (superadobe) construction may rely on barbed wire reinforcement and cement-mixed soil
- ♦ Earth berms typically require some form of retaining wall (often concrete or CMU)
It’s frustrating to confront the limits of these systems, especially when they are promoted as “earth-conscious,” when contemporary reinforced concrete bears little resemblance to the earth-based building system it used to be in ancient times.
Concrete: A Material Both Ancient and Alive
For thousands of years, concrete has shaped empires — none more enduring than Rome. But as we design for a sustainable future, concrete is also one of the biggest climate concerns: responsible for about 8% of global carbon emissions, according to an article in World Economic Forum.
Is there another way?
Self-healing, earthquake-resistant concrete was perfected in ancient Rome, some of which has lasted for Millennia without reinforcement, from a natural recipe of volcanic ash, lime, and seawater with stone aggregate.
Recently, research teams from around the world have been studying Roman concrete recipes, according to an article from Science.org.
How Did Roman Concrete Work?
What made it special wasn’t just the ingredients, but how they reacted over time. Unlike Portland cement, which hardens and eventually deteriorates, Roman concrete could self-heal. Water seeping into cracks reactivated unspent lime and ash, closing fissures with new mineral growth. This is part of why their structures — including sea walls — remain intact.
Roman Concrete vs. Modern Reinforced Concrete
| Feature | Roman Concrete | Modern Reinforced Concrete |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Binder | Lime + volcanic ash (pozzolana) | Portland cement |
| Reinforcement | None – massing and vault geometry | Steel rebar embedded in concrete |
| Seismic Strategy | Energy dispersion through cracks, self-healing | Steel absorbs tension, concrete handles compression |
| Durability | Centuries to millennia | 50–100 years typical lifespan |
| Environmental Footprint | Low-carbon, regional ingredients | High-carbon due to cement and steel |
Can Innovation Be Rediscovered?
The Romans never used steel — yet the Pantheon’s dome still stands. Not only that, it survived centuries of earthquakes without the brittle fractures that plague modern concrete.
As we rethink building materials in an age of climate urgency, perhaps the real innovation isn’t asking what’s newest, but what have we forgotten?
Why Don’t We Just Build Like the Romans?
Great question. There are good reasons.
Modern buildings must support live loads, seismic shear, utilities, and code-mandated safety requirements — often in climates and conditions Roman builders never faced. And their methods weren’t universal: Roman concrete performed best in specific environments with locally sourced ash and lime.
But this doesn’t mean we can’t learn from them.
Modern researchers are already experimenting with:
- ♦ Bio-concrete that mimics Roman self-healing
- ♦ Volcanic ash and slag blends that reduce cement use
- ♦ Carbon-negative blocks that replace steel with industrial waste
Low Carbon Concrete
According to a blog post in Building Design+Construction, green, eco-conscious concrete recipes have been engineered to reduce carbon emissions, in products created for today's construction industry. The new ingredient list includes:
- ♦ Fly ash – a byproduct of coal combustion, echoing the ancient Roman formula
- ♦ Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) – a byproduct of steel manufacturing
- ♦ Silica fume – derived from silicon and ferrosilicon alloy production
- ♦ Recycled aggregates – sourced from crushed concrete or industrial byproducts
- ♦ Geopolymers – made from materials like fly ash and metakaolin (a refined clay)
These new recipes push against the very idea of natural stone and earth-friendly solutions. What happens when byproduct and combustion-based ingredients are regulated out of existence? This raises fundamental questions:
- ♦ Can we build a sculptural, symbolic, serene space without greenwashing?
- ♦ Can we create eco-conscious, engineered solutions with continued research into the past?
- ♦ Can we use the earth under our feet — responsibly — without defaulting to high carbon concrete?
There are no easy answers. But the process of asking these questions openly — and honestly — is essential.
In future posts, we’ll continue to explore.
And yes — we’ll eventually get to that crescent moon design feature. But not before we ask: What kind of world do we want this project to live in?
Standard Disclaimer
These designs are not construction documents. They are conceptual works, created in part using AI-assisted graphics under original artistic direction. When finalized, design packages will include guidelines for professional adaptation by licensed architects and engineers.
Visuals and text on this page were created or enhanced using AI tools. All concepts and artistic direction are original.
The Sanctuary of One Part I: Envisioning the Dream
✧ 🌙 Dream Project: Moon Dial Sanctuary ✧
Hilltop Grove Near the California Coast
✦ Region
Northern California, Marin or San Luis Obispo county
✦ Project Description
A poetic retreat imagined for moonlit rituals and contemplative gatherings. The structure is nestled into a gentle hillside, with green roofs and stone terraces blending into the land. A crescent forms above the layout—as a sculptural roof element, and as a functioning moon dial, calibrated to mark true midnight during the full moon.
✦ Site Features
Elevated clearing on gently sloping terrain with southern exposure
Surrounded by native shrubs, coast live oaks and California bay laurel
Seasonal streams and shaded paths, soft fog and filtered sunlight
Near open space preserves with minimal built context, sea view in the distance
✦ Purpose and Use
Quiet ceremony under the stars
Writing, meditation, or intimate conversation
Architectural daydreaming and mythic alignment
Inspiration for future off-grid, ethical builds
✦ Program
Meditative central room with skylight aligned to the lunar apex
Small tea or writing room with views across the hills
Composting restroom tucked into the earth
Circular outdoor gathering area ringed with low seating stones
✦ The Sanctuary Space
Square floor plan, oriented to cardinal directions
One solid wall for reflection or altar; opposite side opens to the horizon
Natural ventilation with high transoms and low stone seating
Interior light powered by the dial’s solar battery
Accessible pathway with compliant thresholds and turning radius
✦ Sustainable Design Elements
Solar-powered moon dial collector that fuels interior night lighting
Earthen walls and reclaimed stone
Rainwater harvesting
Fully vegan materials (no wool, leather, or animal-derived products)
Designed to require minimal electricity or maintenance
Key Feature
✦ The Moon Dial Sculpture
Crescent-shaped, cast in recycled bronze or aluminum
Houses transparent solar lenses that collect light during the day
Glows internally at night, marking midnight on the full moon
Symbolically and functionally ties earth, time, and sky together
✦ Influences
William Morgan’s earth-embedded spatial sensibility
Julia Morgan’s bold adaptation of classical grace
Classical Greek forms, especially the crescent moon as maiden
Sears Kit logic, for possible future modular adaptation
✦ Final Thoughts
Though this space remains unbuilt, it holds a real position in my creative landscape. It’s a synthesis of ancient traditions and modern ethics—a poetic diagram of what architecture can be when it listens deeply to silence, shadow, and soul.
In future entries, I’ll explore how this sanctuary evolves when its poetic form meets the practical needs of safety, movement, and time itself — including the role of the moon dial in shaping light, and the quiet transformation of stairs into path.
Standard Disclaimer
These designs are not construction documents. They are conceptual works, created in part using AI-assisted graphics under original artistic direction. When finalized, design packages will include guidelines for professional adaptation by licensed architects and engineers.
Visuals and text on this page were created or enhanced using AI tools. All concepts and artistic direction are original.
Metros y Murciélagos – Liner Notes
A Journey Through Song · Un Viaje en Canciones
Metros y Murciélagos is a 16-track Spanish-language debut by E Sylvia & AI, blending poetic lyrics with genre-crossing soundscapes. These liner notes share the story behind each song—its tone, theme, and imaginative spirit.
Metros y Murciélagos es un álbum debut en español con 16 canciones originales de E Sylvia & AI. Letras poéticas y sonidos de muchos géneros se entrelazan para contar historias. Aquí compartimos la inspiración detrás de cada pista.
1. Fiesta en el Corazón
A hearty celebration of flamenco’s spirit and family ties. Every step, note, and smile tells a story of warmth, joy, and shared intention.
Una celebración sincera y cálida del espíritu del flamenco y los lazos familiares. Cada paso, nota y sonrisa cuenta una historia de calor, alegría e intenciones compartidas.
2. Venta de Garaje
Soul, rhythm, and memory in a retro Latin groove—this is a spring-cleaning song about letting go in style, with a wink, a memory, and a little extra cash.
Alma, ritmo y recuerdos en un groove latino retro—una canción de limpieza primaveral que suelta el pasado con estilo, una guiñada, una memoria y un dinerito extra.
3. Viaje del Metro
A love letter to rapid transit and the quiet stories it carries — a golden ride through city dreams, art, and everyday connection.
Una carta de amor al transporte rápido y a las historias silenciosas que lleva — un viaje dorado a través de los sueños de la ciudad, el arte y la conexión cotidiana.
4. ¿Nos volveremos a encontrar?
A soul-searching ballad of love, longing, and the quiet hope of reunion. Even in uncertainty, the memory remains — and perhaps that's what's eternal.
Balada introspectiva sobre el amor, la añoranza y la esperanza silenciosa del reencuentro. Aun en la incertidumbre, queda el recuerdo — y tal vez eso sea lo eterno.
5. Música de Números
Flamenco meets finance in a bold, rhythmic tango—dancing through market swings, emotion, and the mystery of numbers.
El flamenco se encuentra con las finanzas en un tango audaz y rítmico—bailando entre altibajos del mercado, emoción y el misterio de los números.
6. Hermanas
Angst and empathy entwine in a bond unbroken—sisters in spirit, defiant through storms, fluent in glances, fierce in joy.
Angustia y empatía se entrelazan en un lazo inquebrantable—hermanas de alma, desafiantes ante tormentas, cómplices en miradas y risas.
7. El Milagro del Amor
A celebration of everyday love—imperfect, resilient, and radiant. This song honors the quiet miracle of choosing one another daily, through laughter, struggle, and the rhythm of resourcefulness in real life.
Una celebración del amor cotidiano — imperfecto, resiliente y radiante. Esta canción honra el milagro callado de elegirse cada día, entre risas, dificultades y el suave ingenio que sostiene la vida real.
8. La Vida de Solsticio
He loved like summer sun—brilliant, brief, unforgettable. The Solstice left behind a sky of memories and a flamenco moon that still remembers.
Amó como el sol de verano—brillante, fugaz, inolvidable. Solsticio dejó un cielo de recuerdos y una luna flamenca que aún lo recuerda.
9. Ritual de Honor
A solemn metal ode to a ceremonial sword—heavy with memory, bound by timeless ritual. Forged in Toledo, it guards the spirit of home with silent dignity.
Oda metal solemne a una espada ceremonial—cargada de memoria, atado por un ritual eterno. Forjada en Toledo, protege el espíritu del hogar con silenciosa dignidad.
10. Siempre
Joy in small things—a day that lingers in golden light. Love shines quietly, warming even the coldest winter days.
Alegría en las cosas pequeñas—un buen día que perdura como luz dorada. El amor brilla en silencio, calentando hasta los inviernos fríos.
11. El Vuelo del Murciélago
In moonlit echoes, the flittermouse dances through the night. Golden wings drift through moonlit waltz—love soaring beyond time.
En ecos de luna, el murciélago danza en la noche. Alas doradas flotan en vals lunar—amor que vuela más allá del tiempo.
12. Querido Coyote
A gentle lullaby about peaceful coexistence with the coyote. Wild and human worlds meet without crossing paths.
Suave canción de cuna sobre la coexistencia pacífica con el coyote. Lo salvaje y lo humano se encuentran sin cruzar caminos.
13. Armadura de Amor
A slow-burning metal ballad. Armor forged from vulnerability, love as a shield and an immortal force.
Balada metal de combustión lenta. Armadura forjada con vulnerabilidad; el amor como escudo y fuerza inmortal.
14. Las Plantas de la Tierra
Friendship grows in every garden and season. We sow our stories and harvest them together.
La amistad crece en cada jardín y estación. Sembramos nuestras historias y las cosechamos juntos.
15. Tarjetas de Solsticio
Solstice reflections and piano tones echoing across winter stillness.
Reflexiones de solsticio y tonos de piano que resuenan en la quietud del invierno.
16. El Sonido de la Comunidad (Bonus Track)
Afternoons in the park where one or two drummers played for hours. A gentle reminder that summer will always come again.
Tardes en el parque donde uno o dos percusionistas tocaban por horas. Un amable recordatorio de que el verano siempre volverá.
Lyrics of all songs on the album by Erin Sylvia Simpson / AKA E Sylvia (BMI)
Letras de todas las canciones del álbum de Erin Sylvia Simpson / AKA E Sylvia (BMI)
Thank You · Gracias
Thank you for listening to Metros y Murciélagos. This album was created with heart, memory, and imagination—and it's an honor to share these songs with you.
Gracias por escuchar Metros y Murciélagos. Este álbum fue creado con corazón, memoria e imaginación—y es un honor compartir estas canciones contigo.
Listen & Support · Escucha y Apoya
"Metros y Murciélagos" is now streaming on major platforms including Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon. Official artist merch is also available.
"Metros y Murciélagos" ya está disponible en plataformas como Spotify, YouTube y Amazon. El merch oficial del artista también está disponible.
🎶 Now Streaming / Ya Disponible
Metros y Murciélagos — released July 10, 2025
Metros y Murciélagos — estrenado el 10 de julio de 2025
🛒 Amazon · 🎧 Deezer · 🔊 iHeartRadio · 🌸 Instagram · 🎵 Pandora · 💚 Spotify · 📺 YouTube
🎵 Anghami · 💚 AudioMack · 🌼 Boomplay · 💚 Claro Música · 🌸 Saavn · ✨ TIDAL · 🎧 TikTok
🎧 Adaptr · 🎵 Joox · 🌼 Kuack Media · 🪕 MediaNet · 💚 Flo · 🎵 NetEase · ✨ Qobuz · 🎧 Tencent
Search for E Sylvia & AI on your favorite streaming platform.
Busca E Sylvia & AI en tu plataforma de streaming favorita.
✨ Official Artist Website / Sitio Web Oficial de la Artista
Discover physical CDs, books, blog posts, exclusive merch, and more — all created with care by E Sylvia & AI.
Descubre CDs físicos, libros, publicaciones en el blog, merchandising exclusivo y mucho más — todo creado con dedicación por E Sylvia & AI.
Explore the creative world / Explora este mundo creativoDisclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. / Divulgación: Como afiliada de Amazon, gano con compras que califican.
Thank you for supporting this collaboration between human lyrics and AI-assisted music.
Gracias por apoyar esta colaboración entre letras humanas y música asistida por IA.
