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Butterfly Roofs and Straw Bale Walls in a Community Hub Design

Authors:
Marco Marchetti, Giulia Turci
Butterfly Roofs and Straw Bale Walls in a Community Hub Design
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The butterfly roof and straw bale walls create an environmentally responsive community hub that promotes interaction and sustainability through its carefully designed spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Butterfly roof design optimizes solar gain and temperature regulation.
02
Straw bale walls provide excellent insulation and environmental sustainability.
03
Service area is strategically placed to protect from cold winter winds.
04
Integrated rainwater management captures runoff from the roof.
05
Outdoor kitchen enhances community engagement and social interaction.

The project emerges as a carefully considered integration of functional spaces focused on sustainability and community engagement, set within a natural environment. It aims to provide various amenities that enhance user experience, allowing for interaction while showing a commitment to environmental awareness. The layout is organized to facilitate easy movement through spaces that accommodate both public and recreational activities.

Programme Structure

The overall layout includes important areas such as a Ticket Sales Area, an Information Centre with a Multi-Purpose Room, and multiple Storage Areas. A conveniently placed WC ensures accessibility for visitors. A Cafe Area with a kitchen promotes social interaction, while additions like a Children Playground and Outdoor Kitchen Counter encourage outdoor activities. This combination enhances usability and prioritizes a welcoming atmosphere for community interaction.

Climate-Responsive Design

A notable feature is the Butterfly Roof, which has been designed to respond effectively to climate conditions. This roof allows for ample sunlight during winter, promoting warmth, while also providing shade to cool the interior during summer. The northern placement of the Service Area protects visitors from cold winter winds, showcasing a thoughtful approach to local weather patterns that enhances comfort throughout the year.

Sustainability Features

The project integrates an effective Rainwater Management system that reflects a commitment to sustainability. Rainwater flows from the Butterfly Roof’s design into a gutter, leading to a storage tank. This system conserves water and reduces the need to rely on external sources, emphasizing an environmentally responsible approach to resource management.

Structural Elements

The design incorporates various structural components, including Timber Beams, Polycarbonate Bubble Wrap, a Straw Bale Wall, Tyre Foundation, and Straw Bale Floor. Each element contributes to the building's thermal efficiency and structural durability, supporting the project's environmental goals and making it well-suited for modern needs.

The design focuses on fostering community interaction and creating spaces that are user-friendly. By blending functionality with environmental considerations, the project achieves a balance that enhances the overall experience for its users and aligns with the surrounding landscape.

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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.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

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

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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