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An Urban Center Featuring a Deployable Canopy and Modular Construction

Authors:
MANUEL CAICOYA JAQUETE, FERNANDO REYES BERNAL
An Urban Center Featuring a Deployable Canopy and Modular Construction

Project in-detail

Equipped with a smart fabric canopy that responds to changing weather, this multi-level cultural center in Riga is defined by its arched structures, providing a versatile public space for community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Canopy opens automatically in response to weather changes.
02
Four auditoriums can be combined to create a larger event space.
03
Prefabricated construction techniques streamline assembly on-site.
04
Parking area is designed with access across multiple levels.
05
Integration of arch structures enhances aesthetic and functional design.

SMART ISLAND is located on an island in Riga, Latvia. It is designed to act as a cultural hub, focusing on community engagement and interaction. The overall concept emphasizes the creation of a public space where people can gather, share experiences, and enjoy various activities. By incorporating different functions like auditoriums, exhibition areas, and office spaces, the design encourages a blend of performance and everyday life.


Architectural and Functional Concept

The project, known as "Keep Island," is an urban cultural hub located on an island in Riga, Latvia. Its design is predicated on fostering social interaction and a blend of performance with everyday activities, achieved through a series of highly adaptable public spaces. The facility houses four auditoriums, which can be configured individually or merged to accommodate larger-scale events and gatherings. A central lobby functions as a multi-purpose zone for meetings and social events, supporting the project’s goal of creating a dynamic public realm.

Structural and Environmental Response

The building's architectural character is defined by a series of prominent arches that serve as both a visual signature and a key functional element. Integrated within these structures is a weather-responsive, smart fabric canopy that deploys automatically in response to rain or snow. This feature ensures the continuous usability of both the auditorium and the adjacent parking areas regardless of weather conditions, establishing a direct and functional dialogue between the structure and its environment.

Construction and Infrastructure

The construction utilizes prefabricated methods to enhance efficiency and accelerate on-site assembly. This approach reduces labor costs and minimizes the project's timeline, aligning with contemporary building practices. The parking infrastructure is designed on multiple levels to accommodate 790 vehicles, providing a functional and accessible solution that manages the traffic demands of a major public venue.

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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
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