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Charred Wood Seams and Glass Facades Defining a Multifunctional Urban Fashion Hub

Authors:
Miles Bianchi, Ari Takata- Vasquez
Charred Wood Seams and Glass Facades Defining a Multifunctional Urban Fashion Hub

Project in-detail

Charred wood seams interlace with expansive glass facades to create a multifunctional hub that nurtures Bangkok's burgeoning fashion industry.
5 key facts about this project
01
Facades incorporate extensive use of glass to enhance transparency and visibility for street engagement.
02
Charred wood shingles provide fire resistance while adding a distinctive texture to the exterior.
03
The building employs a bent A-frame design, optimizing structural integrity and interior space.
04
Flexible interior layouts support diverse uses, accommodating evolving fashion industry needs.
05
A dedicated runway space integrates seamlessly into the overall circulation, facilitating community events.

### Overview
Shards + Seams is a proposed design for the Bangkok Fashion Hub, aimed at supporting the city’s dynamic fashion industry. Designed to integrate multiple functions within an urban context, the proposal emphasizes both aesthetic appeal and practicality. The project's conceptual framework centers on the interplay between “shards” and “seams,” creating distinct yet interconnected spaces that foster circulation and interaction.

### Spatial Strategy and User Experience
The architectural strategy features a series of vertically and horizontally arranged “shards,” which create visually engaging structures while allowing for essential circulation pathways known as “seams.” These seams function not only as connectors but also as infrastructure supporting mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, reflecting a comprehensive approach to design. The functional layers of the hub include retail and food services on the lower floors, designed to attract foot traffic and promote a vibrant marketplace for local designers. Meanwhile, higher education facilities cultivate collaboration among emerging fashion talents, with dedicated runway space at the pinnacle for showcasing new designs.

### Materiality
Material selection is integral to the project’s identity, utilizing glass for transparent façades that invite natural light and connect indoor and outdoor environments. Structural steel reinforces the design's durability and flexibility, while concrete serves as a reliable foundation for supporting the massing of shards. Interior spaces benefit from LED lighting, enhancing functionality and aesthetic quality, particularly in areas designated for retail and runway activities. Select stone finishes introduce warmth and a tactile contrast to the otherwise sleek surroundings, establishing a cohesive architectural language that responds effectively to its urban setting.

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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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Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
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