Burning Man 2026: Ten Architectural Installations Photographed by Gurpreet Chawla
In the Black Rock Desert of Nevada during Burning Man 2026, Gurpreet Chawla captured images of ten architectural installations. Adhering to the leave-nothing-behind policy, the structures were designed to be lightweight and easily dismantled. Alexander Rose's pavilion, named Man Base and inspired by Japan's Jōmon Sugi tree, featured a double-helix staircase constructed from recycled wood. Rose received news of his design award shortly before his mother's death. The Moonlight Collective, led by James Gwertzman, created the Temple of the Moon, which was inspired by the Queen of the Night cactus and included illuminated wooden petals. Other notable works included installations by Jessy Cusack, Philippe Maindron, Anthony Fieldman, Mark Slee, Alex Noerpel, Hunter Keene, Dave Ray, Michael Jacob, D'Milo Hallerberg, Jordan Tenney, and Sean Orlando. Construction faced challenges due to high winds and fire risks.
Key facts
- Gurpreet Chawla photographed ten installations at Burning Man 2026 in Nevada.
- Alexander Rose designed the Man Base pavilion Cryptomeria, inspired by Japan's Jōmon Sugi tree.
- Rose's mother died days after learning his design had won an award.
- Moonlight Collective, led by James Gwertzman, created the Temple of the Moon based on the Queen of the Night cactus.
- Anthony Fieldman and Mark Slee's Apotheneum contains 26,560 lights and previously appeared at Art Basel Miami.
- Alex Noerpel and Hunter Keene's Gothic Folly is 60 feet tall with a metal skeleton fabricated in New York.
- D'Milo Hallerberg's Chiton Chapel used 27-foot steel frames covered in white nylon.
- High winds and local fire concerns added complications for builders this year.
Entities
Artists
- Gurpreet Chawla
- Alexander Rose
- James Gwertzman
- Jessy Cusack
- Philippe Maindron
- Anthony Fieldman
- Mark Slee
- Alex Noerpel
- Hunter Keene
- Dave Ray
- Michael Jacob
- D'Milo Hallerberg
- Jordan Tenney
- Sean Orlando
Institutions
- Burning Man
- Moonlight Collective
- Five Ton Crane Arts Collective
- Dezeen
- Art Basel Miami
Locations
- Nevada
- United States
- Black Rock City
- Black Rock Desert
- Japan
- New York
- Miami
Sources
- Dezeen —