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Brass Mirror Reflection in Ephemeral Resting Spaces

Authors:
Jair neftalí Guzmán ibarra, Zurisadai Mercado barrera, Valeria Palacios trabamala, Emilio eduardo Padilla villanueva
Brass Mirror Reflection in Ephemeral Resting Spaces

Project in-detail

A brass mirror serves as a focal point, capturing reflections in transitional resting spaces designed for individuals navigating journeys of migration and identity.
5 key facts about this project
01
Brass mirrors create an interactive element that encourages self-reflection.
02
Transitional resting areas are designed to evoke a sense of pause in journeys.
03
Light and shadow dynamics enhance emotional experiences throughout the space.
04
The project responds to themes of migration and identity through its layout.
05
Reflective surfaces foster connections among visitors and their personal narratives.

The design explores themes of migration and identity through a carefully structured spatial narrative. Located in an environment that reflects the essence of a journey, the project captures the diverse experiences of people moving through various landscapes. The main idea highlights that "Traveler, your footprints are the only road, nothing else," which emphasizes the personal nature of each journey while connecting to a larger shared experience.

Reflective Elements

The design includes reflective features, particularly highlighted by a brass mirror that serves as an important symbol. The mirror offers a means for self-reflection and creates a dialogue between people and the surrounding space. As individuals see their own reflections, they engage with the concepts of identity and belonging, prompting deeper thoughts about personal stories and connections to the community.

Spatial Dynamics

Light and shadow play key roles in shaping the experience of the space. The way light interacts with different surfaces adds depth and interest to the environment. This interplay creates varied atmospheres that communicate feelings of both hope and uncertainty. Movement through the space becomes an opportunity for contemplation, enriching the emotional weight of migration and transition.

Transitional Spaces

Transitional resting areas are incorporated into the design to reflect the reality of a traveler’s journey. These spaces are described as turning the "cracked earth that lies beneath our feet into an ephemeral place to rest," offering chances for pause and reflection. They create a sense of respite while allowing individuals to connect with the broader narrative of migration.

As people traverse the design, they encounter thoughtfully created pathways that invite exploration. Each path leads to new experiences, encouraging interaction and dialogue within the space. The details come together to form a story that resonates with themes of movement and belonging.

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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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