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Acoustic Design Elevated by Cross-Laminated Timber Panels and Charred Wooden Shingles in a Community Food Court

Authors:
Alyssa Myshok, Bryana Gaffney, Ariann Mangas
Acoustic Design Elevated by Cross-Laminated Timber Panels and Charred Wooden Shingles in a Community Food Court

Project in-detail

Cross-laminated timber panels and charred wooden shingles create an acoustically responsive food court that seamlessly integrates with the surrounding forest, enhancing community connectivity during the Sanssu music festival.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cross-laminated timber panels enhance structural stability while promoting sustainability.
02
Charred wooden shingles provide natural fire resistance and aesthetic appeal.
03
The bent A-frame design optimizes acoustics for musical performances.
04
Translucent polycarbonate elements allow for dynamic light play throughout the day.
05
A central fire pit fosters community interaction and social gatherings.

The Forest Interlude project is an architectural design model for a food court, strategically placed within a forested area. This project serves as a social hub during the Sanssu music festival, designed to enhance visitors' interactions with both food offerings and performances. The project enables a direct connection between the built environment and the natural landscape, promoting an engaging experience for attendees.

The design incorporates three distinct structures, each contributing to a cohesive yet varied spatial arrangement. The angular forms of these structures draw inspiration from traditional architectural styles, reinterpreting local vernacular in a modern context. This thoughtful integration of form and function provides users with a functional space while maintaining a focus on community interaction and natural immersion.

Spatial Organization and Functional Segmentation

The layout features a central gathering area, surrounding which the individual food court structures are arranged. This organization encourages movement and flow, promoting a sense of community among festival participants. The juxtaposition of solid and translucent materials enhances visibility, allowing light to permeate the interiors during the day, and creating an inviting atmosphere for evening events.

Attention to materiality is a significant aspect of the design. The project utilizes wood as the primary material, reflecting a commitment to sustainability and local craftsmanship. Metal elements are incorporated to ensure structural stability while offering contrast to the softer wooden surfaces. The use of polycarbonate panels allows for dynamic light play within the space. This blend of materials establishes a dialogue between the structures and their natural surroundings.

Innovative Design Experiments

A notable characteristic of the Forest Interlude project is its acoustic design, tailored to complement the musical performances that occur during the festival. The angular roof forms not only add visual interest but also serve to enhance sound diffusion, ensuring an optimal auditory experience for visitors. This intentional approach to acoustics distinguishes the project from typical festival structures, positioning it as a thoughtfully designed space that prioritizes the attendee experience.

The architectural vision further incorporates elements of interaction through the incorporation of a circular seating area surrounding a fire pit. This feature acts as a focal point, inviting social gatherings and fostering connections among users. Such design decisions enhance the sense of community, reinforcing the project's intention to create a welcoming environment that facilitates interaction.

For a deeper understanding of the Forest Interlude project, interested readers are encouraged to explore the architectural plans, sections, designs, and ideas that detail its various components. Each aspect of the project contributes to a comprehensive vision that aligns with the festival's objectives while respecting the natural context in which it resides.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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