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Temple of the Deep stands as a fractured black rock — an opening to vulnerability, loss, and transformation.
Here, emotions are no longer concealed;
they are honored.
The Temple is a space of radical acceptance, allowing individuals to process life’s depths at their own pace.
In its cracks, we find resilience, community, and a path to healing.
The project
Temple of the Deep
Temple of the Deep is a place of radical acceptance — a space where emotions are fully embraced, not hidden. Healing, growth, and transformation cannot be rushed; they require time and presence. In this Temple, grief is honored, resilience is nurtured, and individuals are invited to sit with their emotions, allowing them to unfold naturally.
The design of the Temple is rooted in two core inspirations. One is A Return to Origins – The Temple recalls the ancient role of natural sanctuaries — a cave, a rock, a mountain — places where people have long gathered to seek refuge, reflect on life’s mysteries, and connect with the power of the Earth. It is a space for solitude and shared experience where the world's weight can be released.
The other one is The Influence of Baroque Architecture – Beneath its rough, tectonic form lies a hidden structure that subtly evokes Baroque movement and geometry. Its sightlines, spatial flow, and interplay of light and shadow create an immersive experience that guides participants through a journey of reflection and transformation.
At its core, Temple of the Deep is autobiographical. It stands as a massive black rock — split apart yet enduring. Like a heart shattered into a thousand pieces, it bears visible scars — reminders of the pain that forged resilience. These scars are not flaws; they are the marks of healing, proof that even in fragmentation, we can find strength and wholeness.
Offerings
Whether or not you can make it to Burning Man this year, The Temple of the Deep is for you. We invite you to participate by sending us a letter — a message of grief, love, gratitude, or any sentiment you wish to express.
The Temple Guardians will oversee the collection and care for these offerings and place them within the structure during the opening ceremony, welcoming your loved one into the collective space.
As the Temple burns, these offerings — and the emotions they carry — will be transmuted by the fire and released.
How to Send Your Letter
Address:
Project Temple Guardians
P.O. Box 23223
Oakland CA 94623
Deadline: Letters must be received by August 1st, 2025
Size: Letters must be standard envelope size
Due to transportation limitations, we cannot accept large or bulky items.
Donate
Support Temple of the Deep
Each year, the Temple is made possible thanks to the support and donations of our entire community. The Burning Man Temple Grant covers only a small portion of the total Temple expenses. If you have the capacity to donate, please see some suggested options below.
Interested in taking your donation to the next level?
Direct donations are free of fees and help fund major expenses like materials, transportation, and large-scale logistics, ensuring the Temple’s successful build.
As a nonprofit project, donations are tax-deductible.
If you or someone you know has the capacity and intention to make a significant gift, please e-mail us at renee@2025temple.com.
Volunteer
Join the team and help build the Temple!
Temple of the Deep is more than a structure—it's a collective effort powered by volunteers' dedication, creativity, and passion. Whether you’re an experienced builder, an artist, or simply someone eager to contribute, we invite you to be part of this transformative journey.
Volunteer Opportunities
We’re organizing our volunteer program and looking for passionate individuals to join us! Opportunities include:
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Pre-Playa Construction – Help bring the Temple to life before we head to Black Rock City! Our Bay Area construction site offers hands-on work in carpentry, lighting, decorating, logistics, and more.
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Support Roles – Can't join the build? You can still make a meaningful impact by assisting with fundraising, communications, and other behind-the-scenes efforts.
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Playa Construction – Where the magic happens! Be part of the Temple’s final assembly, which involves carpentry, using heavy machinery, working at heights, and managing playa logistics.
By volunteering, you’ll become part of an extraordinary community, creating a sacred space that touches the hearts of thousands.
How to Get Involved
Our official volunteer structure is still finalized, but we’re collecting an interest list now! Fill out the Volunteer Interest Form by clicking the button below to tell us about yourself, your skills, and how you’d like to contribute.
We’ll provide updates and next steps as more details become available.
Thank you for your interest! We can’t wait to have you on board!
Lead Artist
Miguel Arraiz García
I’ve always felt torn between poetry and architecture—two realms of creativity that, in my life, eventually intertwined. My journey began with a passion for poetry, but I ultimately chose architecture as my profession. However, like many pivotal decisions, it emerged from a crisis. The 2008 financial crisis catalyzed a profound shift in my career, leading me into the world of ephemeral architecture.
Growing up in Valencia, my experimental playground was the city’s iconic Fallas festival, where I became accustomed to creating works of art destined to be burned. This practice prepared me for a serendipitous encounter with Burning Man in 2016, where the collective Pink Intruder created the Renaixement piece. There, I found the same fiery spirit as in my hometown but imbued with a more profound sense of community and shared values. It was a revelation—a fusion of poetry and architecture.
Life continued to evolve, and during the pandemic, I was privileged to serve as the Projects Director for Valencia’s designation as the World Design Capital in 2022. That experience was another turning point, shaping my perspective on design and its power to bring people together.
Now, once again, life has brought me to a crossroads. This time, the journey has led to a deeply personal and transformative project inspired by the ethos of the Burning Man Temple—a space for love, reflection, and respect. Life is a rollercoaster, and I’m eager to embrace the highs and lows, sharing this meaningful project with anyone who feels drawn to its spirit.
Photo by Gustavo Ten
The Crew
Temple of the Deep is a collaborative effort, bringing together an incredible team from Spain and the USA. Our crew includes experienced builders from past Temples, alongside new team members who bring fresh perspectives and skills. Together, we share a deep passion for ephemeral architecture, large-scale art, and the transformative power of the Temple.
Each team member plays a vital role in making the Temple a reality—blending craftsmanship, creativity, and dedication to create a space of reflection, connection, and meaning at Burning Man 2025.
TEMPLE LEADERSHIP TEAM
Ewa Jagiello (Operations lead)
Renee Leblanc (Fundraising Lead)
TJ "Tree Jay" Lee (Build Lead)
Andrew "Thor" Lindgren (Pre-Build Lead)
Morgan McClure (Community Lead)
Mike Keeler (Finance Lead )
DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURAL TEAM
Javier Molinero / Javier Bono (Main Design Advisors)
Josep Martí (Structural Advisor)
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Hernani Fernandez (Arqueha) / Marta Marcos / Balstasar Otero / Elisa Moliner
(Design Advisors)
Yousef Eid-Masheh (CGI Artist)
Radiante Light Art Studio (Lighting Design)
Banjo Soundscapes - Ivan Llopis (Sound Design)
SPANISH CREW MEMBERS
Carolina Lopez (General Advisor)
Diana JQ (Patches) (General Advisor)
Manolo Martin / Manolo García (Fallas Artisan)
Noel Arraiz (Photography)
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and much more that we will keep including in this new family.
A tale of two cities
Imagine a city filled with hundreds of fanciful sculptures, some as tall as buildings, each unique, all designed to burn. For five days and nights the people celebrate, taking to the car-free streets in elaborate costumes, accompanied by a cacophony of music and the near-constant detonation of fireworks. At the end of the week, the sculptures are all put to the torch in a single night of fiery destruction, and the next morning no physical trace of the celebration can be found.
Sound familiar? The place I’m describing is not Black Rock City. It’s Valencia, on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. And its signature celebration, Las Fallas, has been going on for centuries, not decades.
(Stuart Mangrum)
