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Acoustic Isolation and Natural Light in Concrete Facades for Urban Living

Authors:
Tim Williams, Max Martin, Jon Martin
Acoustic Isolation and Natural Light in Concrete Facades for Urban Living
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The design addresses the challenges of high-density urban living by focusing on spatial strategies that enhance both privacy and community engagement. It seeks to mitigate environmental factors such as noise while optimizing natural light and social connectivity within a limited site
5 key facts about this project
01
Façade mimics traditional bamboo scaffolding aesthetic.
02
Acoustic privacy emphasized in individual living units.
03
Sun scoops optimize natural light without compromising privacy.
04
Communal amenities located every six to nine floors.
05
Entrance design bridges urban street and social spaces.

Located in a densely populated area of Hong Kong, the design responds to limited land availability and high housing demand by creating living environments that balance personal comfort with opportunities for social interaction. The concept prioritizes acoustic isolation from urban noise while maximizing natural light, offering residents a quiet retreat within the fast-paced city.

Facade Design and Materiality
The façade draws inspiration from Hong Kong’s urban context, featuring a deconstructed concrete wall aesthetic with exposed steel reinforcement. Its weathered finish not only enhances durability but also visually references traditional bamboo scaffolding, allowing the building to integrate with its surroundings. This façade serves as a buffer against street noise while permitting daylight to penetrate the interiors.

Living Spaces and Community Amenities
Individual units are designed for acoustic privacy and include sun scoops that admit natural light while limiting views from adjacent buildings. Shared amenities such as communal kitchens, dining areas, and transitional zones with shower pods and gardens foster resident interaction and connection with nature. These communal spaces are distributed every six to nine floors, providing flexibility to adapt to neighborhood-specific needs while maintaining consistent design language. The entrance design facilitates a clear transition from the urban street to social areas, reinforcing the relationship between private and communal environments.

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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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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.

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

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
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Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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