Part of a design experiment highlighting the durability, high thermal mass, and other material properties of rammed earth, our team developed a series of hiker’s shelters. Situated in Arizona’s Coyote Mountains, the climate perfectly accentuates the beneficial properties of rammed earth to create cool, comfortable environments for the project’s occupants. Despite being one of the most popular hiking trails in the state, every year multiple hikers perish due to dehydration and heat exhaustion. To address this, multiple pavilions are placed along the trail to provide water and shelter to those who need it, creating a safer, more enjoyable way to appreciate the beauty of the high desert.