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Acoustic Inverted Roof Enhancing Sensory Experience in Urban Living

Author:
Xintong (emily) Yan
Acoustic Inverted Roof Enhancing Sensory Experience in Urban Living
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The acoustically responsive inverted roof of this residence integrates sensory experiences into a central courtyard, promoting interaction with natural elements within a safe living space for the visually impaired.
5 key facts about this project
01
The central courtyard facilitates sensory interactions with natural elements.
02
Walls designed to resemble shutter blinds ensure privacy while enhancing interior acoustics.
03
The staircase spirals outward, promoting both movement and exploration within the home.
04
Rainfall creates a unique acoustic experience as water flows through the inverted roof.
05
The structure prioritizes safety and autonomy for visually impaired residents.

The house for the blind is designed for a low-density urban area with a moderate climate. It occupies an empty lot characterized by neighboring buildings that stand perpendicular to it. The design aims to redefine the experience of blindness, highlighting the importance of engaging with the world through senses other than sight. Overall, it presents a thoughtful approach to creating spaces that promote autonomy and connection with the environment.

Central Courtyard

A central courtyard serves as the focal point of this design. It offers a space for sensory experiences, allowing residents to feel the wind and hear the sounds of nature. This area provides opportunities for quiet reflection as well as social interaction, balancing private and communal needs. It plays a key role in how inhabitants experience their home.



Wall Structures

The tall walls of the house rise from the ground to the roof, resembling the function of shutter blinds. These walls provide privacy, shielding residents from outside views, while also creating a calm atmosphere within. Their height contributes to a sense of security and envelopment, enhancing the experience of sound and touch for those who live here.



Staircase and Circulation

The staircase is an important feature that connects various parts of the home. It guides residents through the space, allowing movement while also offering protection from outside observation. As it extends from the tangents of a spiral, the staircase combines both function and design, promoting exploration within the home and ensuring that each transition feels natural.



Inverted Cone-shaped Roof

The roof takes on an inverted cone shape, created by overlapping two spirals. During rain, this roof acts like a drum skin, making sounds that resonate through the space. Each raindrop runs through the spiral gutter, filling the home with a unique acoustic experience. This design detail creates an ongoing connection between the building and its surroundings, enriching the sensory experience for all who enter.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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