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Charred Stone Facade and Reflective Glass Elevating Community Spaces Through Cultural Integration

Authors:
brando censasorte, emanuela guerrucci
Charred Stone Facade and Reflective Glass Elevating Community Spaces Through Cultural Integration

Project in-detail

Charred stone and reflective glass create a dialogue between history and modernity, forming a cultural hub that fosters community engagement and educational opportunities.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred stone facade enhances durability while creating a unique visual texture.
02
Reflective glass elements allow dynamic interaction with changing light conditions.
03
Cross-laminated timber panels contribute to sustainability and structural efficiency.
04
Typographic designs incorporated into the façade represent diverse cultural narratives.
05
An infinite staircase leads to various educational spaces, emphasizing upward mobility.

## Overview
The Endless Tower is situated in a context rich with cultural significance, designed to function both as a memorial and a cultural center. Its intent is to address the themes of resilience and remembrance, providing a space that acknowledges historical trauma while fostering a spirit of community engagement. The architectural approach integrates a complex spatial concept with carefully selected materials that balance functionality and aesthetic inquiry.

## Design Elements
The tower's structure features a robust steel framework that generates a dynamic interplay of forms and spaces. A key feature is the infinite staircase, symbolizing aspirational elevation and providing a physical and metaphorical connection to the sky. The plan's gradual reduction in size as it ascends conveys a sense of ethereality and spiritual progression. Materiality is thoughtfully curated, combining steel, glass, and local stone to reflect contemporary engineering while honoring traditional craftsmanship. Textured stone contrasts with sleek glass, and decorative cut-outs on the façade create intricate patterns that enhance light interaction within the interior.

## Spatial Configurations
The building accommodates multifunctional spaces intended for a wide array of activities. Classrooms are designed for flexibility, supporting diverse teaching methods, while silent rooms offer opportunities for reflection. Exhibition areas and conference rooms facilitate various cultural functions, including film screenings. Public access levels are incorporated to strengthen community engagement. This diverse spatial arrangement emphasizes interaction and collaboration within the educational and cultural frameworks, ultimately enhancing the user experience.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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