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Charred Wooden Shingles and Flexible Spaces in a Community-Focused Cultural Hub

Authors:
Lei Mao, Zhe Peng, Ke Sun, Xiaoju Liao
Charred Wooden Shingles and Flexible Spaces in a Community-Focused Cultural Hub

Project in-detail

Constructed with charred wooden shingles and integrated flexible spaces, the design serves as a cultural hub that fosters creativity and community engagement in Cesis, Latvia.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and aesthetics.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels to promote sustainable building practices.
03
Features a flexible "Event Machine" that adapts to various community functions.
04
Designed around a bent A-frame structure, optimizing spatial dynamics and light.
05
Public and studio spaces are seamlessly integrated to encourage collaboration among artists.

## Overview

Located in Cesis, Latvia, the project aims to revitalize the urban landscape by creating dedicated spaces for artistic expression and collaboration within a historical context. Emphasizing both public and studio environments, the design seeks to foster creativity in various disciplines, including architecture, design, and music. The project serves as a contemporary addition to the city's fabric while acknowledging and respecting its architectural heritage.

### Spatial Organization and User Experience

The layout of the facility is strategically divided into distinct zones, each designed to promote interaction and collaboration. Studio spaces are tailored for individual and collective creative endeavors, accommodating artists and designers. Public areas prioritize accessibility, hosting exhibitions, workshops, and community events that engage local residents. Flexible event spaces are equipped to adapt to diverse functions, ensuring relevance to the community's evolving needs. This interconnected spatial strategy enhances user experience, encouraging movement and collaboration among various disciplines.

### Materiality and Sustainability

A deliberate choice of materials emphasizes functionality and integration with the surrounding environment. Concrete provides durability for structural elements, while steel offers flexibility in design for movable components. Glass is incorporated to enhance transparency, fostering a sense of connection between interior spaces and the urban landscape, while wood introduces warmth and options for adaptive use. The inclusion of sustainable practices is highlighted by specialized areas such as the vinyl press factory, which reflects the historical manufacturing significance of Cesis while supporting contemporary artistic production.

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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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