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Algae-Based Reading Rooms Promoting Community Engagement in Urban Spaces

Authors:
Wang Qihong, Li Xiangyuan, Hu Chenghai, Pan Yuanyuan
Algae-Based Reading Rooms Promoting Community Engagement in Urban Spaces

Project in-detail

Employing algae-based materials, this mobile reading room enhances urban landscapes by providing accessible spaces for literature and community interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Mobile reading rooms are designed to adapt to various urban settings.
02
The interior features an H-shaped annular frame for organized book storage.
03
Algae-based materials are utilized for environmental adaptation.
04
Liftable desks and seats allow for customizable space configurations.
05
A dedicated app aids users in finding nearby reading locations and resources.

Telecopic Ball introduces a new way to engage with literature in urban settings. The mobile reading rooms are designed to enhance access to books and encourage people to come together. By focusing on the value of printed materials, the concept creates spaces where individuals can read individually or in groups. It merges the essence of traditional reading with contemporary needs, offering a functional space for meditation, recreation, and social interaction.

Design Concept

The central idea of Telecopic Ball is to bring back the experience of reading in an urban environment. It creates adaptable areas that cater to different preferences. The design allows for both quiet reading and active discussions, encouraging users to connect with literature and each other. Each space thoughtfully considers how best to accommodate varied activities, ensuring that everyone can find a suitable environment.

Functional Features

A key component of the design is its mobile platform. This feature allows the space to make efficient use of limited urban areas. The desks and seats can be lifted and adjusted, making the layout flexible. This adaptability is especially important in crowded cities where traditional layouts might not be practical. The internal structure features an H-shaped annular frame that securely houses books, making them easy to access for anyone who wants to read.

Operational Mechanism

The Telecopic Ball includes an automated system for retrieving books, simplifying how users access materials. When opened, it creates an inviting setting for both quiet contemplation and lively gatherings. A supporting digital application helps users find nearby reading rooms, select books, and check what is available, enhancing the overall experience.

Environmental Integration

These reading rooms are thoughtfully placed in urban centers, parks, and schools. This positioning not only improves access to literature but also supports city-wide reading initiatives. By collecting data on how people use the spaces, the design can adapt to better meet community needs. The choice of algae-based materials highlights a focus on sustainability, ensuring structures can respond effectively to their surroundings.

The circular framework of Telecopic Ball adds to its visual appeal while maintaining the focus on function. It invites exploration and promotes interaction among users, creating an engaging environment for various activities centered around reading.

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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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
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Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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