The Straw Thermae pavilion was conceived to commemorate Referinghausen’s transition toward energy autonomy. Installed during the village’s 750th anniversary in 2019, the project reflects a shift away from fossil fuel dependency through the implementation of a locally constructed heating network linked to a nearby biogas facility fueled by organic waste. This system has enabled a 50 percent reduction in energy costs while eliminating CO₂ emissions.
The pavilion is organized around a central steel basin containing heated water, representing the locally generated energy that sustains the community. This core is encircled by straw, referencing the biomass processes underpinning the system. Beyond its symbolic configuration, the pavilion functioned as a public forum, hosting discussions and exchanges on renewable energy strategies and their potential replication in other contexts.
The installation situates this transformation within a broader temporal framework, outlining three phases in the village’s energy trajectory: an initial period of self-sufficiency based on local resources, a subsequent phase of dependence on external fossil fuels, and a current model grounded in decentralized, renewable infrastructure.
Through its spatial and material articulation, the pavilion operates both as a commemorative structure and as a communicative device, illustrating the possibilities of community-driven energy transition.
