Located within the NSW landscape, the Temple of the New Moon was designed and constructed as part of the 2021 Neomania festival, responding to the festival’s theme through a quiet and immersive architectural installation. Conceived through studies of the moon’s path across the site, the cylindrical form sits in gentle contrast to the surrounding trees and grass, with curved cladding in varying shades of green embedding the structure within its natural context.
Measuring 3.6 metres in diameter and rising to 4 metres at its highest point, the installation is defined by a condensed, expressed entry threshold, where a low white-framed opening marks the transition into a more introspective interior. Inside, a central moon object invites interaction, while the exposed timber structure is painted white to contrast with the darker exterior shell, and a skillion roof incorporates an opening that frames the night sky and maps the moon’s movement overhead. Constructed predominantly from recycled materials, the project reflects a careful balance between concept, craft and environmental sensitivity.
