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Capturing Sunlight with Solar Panels and Connecting Communities Through Rippling Form

Author:
Nana Aba Turkson
Capturing Sunlight with Solar Panels and Connecting Communities Through Rippling Form
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A rippling form captures sunlight through integrated solar panels while fostering community interaction, providing multifunctional space for urban living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rippling design allows for visual connectivity among multiple building levels.
02
Integrated solar panels support renewable energy initiatives.
03
Balconies promote social interaction and outdoor engagement.
04
Adaptive multipurpose spaces respond to changing community needs.
05
Rainwater collection systems enhance sustainability measures.

The Kurt Tower is an architectural endeavor that combines sustainability, community interaction, and multifunctional spaces in a contemporary urban context. Inspired by wind turbines, the design communicates a sense of freedom and lightness. This building aims to create opportunities for its occupants to connect with one another while visually integrating into the surrounding environment.

Community Engagement

The design features a ripple effect that promotes visual connections between different levels of the building. This approach allows people on upper floors to see and engage with those below them, encouraging social interactions. By shifting its shape, the structure addresses privacy concerns while still fostering an open atmosphere. The design seeks to create an environment where individuals can build relationships and strengthen community ties.

Sustainability Approach

A focus on sustainability drives many of the building's features. Solar panels are designed to capture sunlight, supporting the use of renewable energy. The project also includes systems for collecting rainwater and cool air from outside, enabling effective climate control within the building. These sustainable elements aim to lessen the ecological footprint and enhance the living conditions for those who occupy the space.

Multipurpose Functionality

The Kurt Tower is intended to be adaptable to the varying needs of its users. This flexibility allows it to serve multiple functions across time, responding to changes in community dynamics and user requirements. Such adaptability ensures the building remains relevant in a fast-paced urban setting, adjusting to the evolving needs of its occupants.

Balconies are an important feature throughout the design, providing transitional spaces that facilitate interactions between people and connect them to the outdoors. These areas enhance the functionality of the building, blending private space with communal experiences. The integration of these design elements draws attention to the importance of human connection in an urban environment.

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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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100,000€ Prize / 2025
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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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Competition organisers

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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