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Bamboo Structure with PVC Fabric Skin for Community Gatherings

Author:
Andrew Glicksberg
Bamboo Structure with PVC Fabric Skin for Community Gatherings

Project in-detail

Constructed primarily from bamboo and enveloped in a durable PVC fabric, the center serves as a community gathering space that blends sustainable materials with principles of Sacred Geometry.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using bundles of bamboo for a flexible and lightweight framework.
02
The outer skin features PVC fabric, allowing natural light while protecting against weather.
03
Designed with principles of Sacred Geometry, reflecting natural forms in its layout.
04
Elevated structure to minimize site disruption and enhance airflow beneath.
05
Incorporates compost toilets to support sustainable wastewater management.

The Sacred Community Center is located in a region with a Mediterranean climate, designed to serve as a versatile space for community gatherings. The design focuses on a diagrid structural system that allows for large, open areas within the building. This feature supports various events, reflecting the importance of community and connection to nature.

Structural Design

The center's primary framework is made from bundles of thin bamboo. This material offers both strength and flexibility, enabling construction without the need for heavy machinery. The diagrid system creates open interiors, promoting flexibility and adaptability for different uses. Sacred Geometry influences the design, taking inspiration from natural patterns like the Fibonacci series and the Golden Ratio, which enhance the overall visual and functional appeal.

Material Usage

The building's outer layer consists of PVC fabric. This choice provides translucency and durability, allowing natural light to enter while also shielding the interior from weather conditions. The fabric is carefully shaped to fit the structural framework, creating a relationship between the two elements. This approach not only contributes to the building’s look but also improves its thermal performance, helping to keep the interior comfortable.

Environmental Considerations

Raised off the ground, the building limits site disruption and allows rainwater to flow freely beneath it. This elevation aligns with principles of environmental sustainability and enhances natural ventilation, important for comfort in warmer weather. Service areas are arranged along the edge of the main space for easy access to mechanical systems, ensuring that the primary gathering area remains unobstructed and inviting.

Interior Layout

The center includes a commercial-grade kitchen and compost toilets to support larger gatherings sustainably. Storage spaces are thoughtfully included for easy access to chairs, tables, and supplies, contributing to operational efficiency. The open design encourages community interaction and engagement, creating an environment where users can immerse themselves in a space deeply connected to natural geometry.

The integration of sacred geometric principles into the design encourages reflection and connection, resulting in a space that embodies the community's spirit and aspirations.

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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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