Uncertain Ground aims to address the future of hostile landscapes in an age of climate crisis, looking holistically at strategies for seismic and landslide resilience. Sited in Rwanda, the project responds to the increasing rate of natural disasters resulting from a rising population, by speculating on the future of vulnerable sites and how they can be inhabited safely.

Future landslides have an increased risk of taking place on sites where they have previously occurred. The location of a recent fatal landslide is being rehabilitated. Bottom-up strategies are presented here through testing natural and mechanical systems. Emerging from a phased masterplan, a disaster mitigative village typology connects to a village hub and a series of safe-houses. The design methodology develops architecture and landscape strategies. This responds to a set risk framework, derived from site analysis and simulations; resisting and retreating spaces are proposed.

Planting strategies, landscape interventions and safe-houses are combined to create a resilient landscape; one which resists, retreats and adapts to uncertain ground.