This Years' Burning Man Temple designed by Spanish Architect Miguel Arraiz

The Temple of the Deep embodies both strength and fragility. Inspired by ancient volcanic rocks from the surrounding Black Rock Desert landscape, it is a sanctuary for shared reflection and healing. 

Miguel Arraiz designed a bold evolution from recent Temple designs, with a natural yet futuristic vision that is both raw and ornate. Rich layers of meaning underlie the 44-foot-high by 105-foot-diameter design, exploring concepts of light and dark, personal and communal, and the power of honoring our journey.

Crafted from wood, the monolithic black rock evokes power and represents a connection to the personal depths that we develop through loss and healing. Reminiscent of organic places of shelter — such as caves, rocks, and mountains — the Temple will be a space where participants can connect, reflect, find meaning, and tap into the mysticism of the Earth. 

Its fractured surface, symbolizing the heart and soul shattered into a thousand pieces, glows from within, creating a captivating interplay of light and shadow. The design references kintsugi, the Japanese art of mending broken pottery with gold, celebrating flaws as sources of strength and beauty rather than hiding them, reminding us that healing comes from exploring, not erasing, the journey.

The radial symmetry and alcove shapes create a sense of balance with the striking exterior design. Seven entrances signify the seven stages of grief, guiding participants along introspective healing paths that converge in the shared central space. The interior seating mirrors BRC’s city plan, embracing unity and transforming it into a space for communal healing.

Main Image: Design rendering of the Temple of the Deep at dusk by Miguel Arraiz, rendering by Arqueha