Temple of the Deep
One of the architects and lecturer at the UPV shares the construction diary of the structure, which cost $800,000 and burned down, with photos of those affected by the dana
[ 10/09/2025 ]
Productive and liberating. That's how Javier Bono, one of three architects from the Universitat Politècnica de València who participated in the construction of the Temple of the Deep, would describe his summer. The temple pays tribute to those who have passed away and is one of the iconic buildings of the Burning Man festival, which brings together some 80,000 people in the Nevada desert. If you want more details, visit this link to the construction diary written by Javier Bono.
After 28 days in the desert, two sandstorms and very few hours of sleep, on 26 August, the Temple of the Deep opened its doors to the public.
‘The energy is overwhelming’
‘People begin to enter, and what was a space is transformed into a temple. The energy is overwhelming. In a few hours, the walls and benches are filled with photographs, writings and memories of loved ones. This moment gives meaning to all the effort of the last few months,’ explains Javier Bono.
On 29 August, ten months after the dana, they brought letters and photographs from those affected. ‘As someone affected by the dana, it is a moment of strong emotional charge, but liberating at the same time. For the first time in months, I have been able to connect with what happened to us and channel my emotions,’ adds Bono.
Closer ties with the Fallas
The Fallas artist Manolo García was responsible for constructing the vortex in vareta (twig). This increases the connection between this festival and the Fallas, as the temple, like other monuments, is burned at the end of the festival.
The initial plans needed some adjustments along the way to get the panels assembled. Miguel Arraiz led the project as the lead artist, alongside Javier Bono and Javier Molinero as architects (all three architects from the UPV from different graduating classes). They developed it with Arqueha, Elisa Moliner, Josep Martí and the team of volunteers from the United States.
Bringing the event to a close, on 31 August, the temple burned with a flame of about 45 metres, tripling its height. If you want more details, visit this link to the construction diary written by Javier Bono.
Photograph: Javier Bono Cremades, UPV School of Architectura
Text: Carmen Revillo Rubio, UPV Comunication Area
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