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Charred Wood and Steel Canopy Creating Engaging Community Spaces

Author:
Ngozi Onome Brown
Charred Wood and Steel Canopy Creating Engaging Community Spaces

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wood and a steel-framed roof, this pavilion transforms community interaction through thoughtfully designed gathering spaces and performance areas that celebrate local heritage.
5 key facts about this project
01
Designed with a cantilevered roof to provide shade and shelter for outdoor activities.
02
Incorporates acoustically responsive materials for improved sound quality during events.
03
Features custom recycled steel fasteners, enhancing sustainability and structural integrity.
04
Utilizes corrugated polycarbonate for natural daylighting while minimizing heat gain.
05
Reflects local cultural themes through its architectural forms and design motifs.

## Project Overview
Located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, the Hayes Park Pavilion is part of a broader initiative aimed at enhancing community spaces. It is designed to represent and invigorate Black heritage, contributing to discussions around cultural representation, community engagement, and environmental integration.

### Conceptual Framework
Rooted in Afrofuturism, the pavilion reimagines the past, present, and future through a lens that embraces Black culture, identity, and aesthetics. Designed as both an outdoor performance venue and a community gathering space, it promotes interaction among residents and visitors. This approach addresses the historical neglect of Black residents in urban planning, aiming to reclaim and celebrate their heritage within the public landscape.

### Material Selection and Sustainability
The design incorporates a range of carefully chosen materials that emphasize sustainability and functionality. Structural components include sustainably harvested timber for the frame, custom recycled steel fasteners for durability, and a high-strength structural steel frame for robust support. Features such as lightweight, translucent corrugated polycarbonate roofing enhance natural daylighting, while energy-efficient LED stage lighting contributes to usability and visual appeal. Every material complements the pavilion's aesthetic while reinforcing its environmental commitments.

### Aesthetic and Symbolic Elements
The design employs an interplay of textures between wood, steel, and concrete, creating a tactile experience that invites interaction. The roof's angular design introduces movement, evoking aspiration and reinforcing the pavilion's role as a community hub. Key motifs, such as the horn element referencing traditional African art, enhance the narrative of cultural significance. Additionally, the controlled entry of natural light throughout the structure adds a dynamic atmosphere that evolves throughout the day, enriching the user experience.

The pavilion serves as an educational platform, encouraging dialogue and reflection on cultural perceptions and the importance of inclusive design. Through its thoughtful integration of modern materials with traditional aesthetics, the structure acts as a facilitator of community identity and engagement.

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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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