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Charred Wooden Shingles and Glass Facade in a Memorial for Collective Unity

Author:
IOSU GABILONDO ALTUNA
Charred Wooden Shingles and Glass Facade in a Memorial for Collective Unity

Project in-detail

Utilizing a facade of charred wooden shingles and expansive glass, the memorial embodies the spirit of collective unity while serving as a multifunctional space for community reflection and engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates a bent A-frame design, creating a dynamic silhouette that symbolizes movement.
02
Features a combination of charred wooden shingles and expansive glass to enhance transparency and reflection.
03
Utilizes cross-laminated timber panels for structural stability and environmental efficiency.
04
Integrates outdoor spaces that interact with the surrounding landscape, fostering a connection to nature.
05
Functions as both a memorial and community hub, encouraging engagement through its design and layout.

The Baltic Way Memorial project is an architectural design intended to commemorate the historic 1989 protest where approximately two million people formed a human chain across the Baltic States, advocating for independence from Soviet control. Set on the 11th November Embankment, the memorial blends historical significance with contemporary functionality, serving as a point of reflection for visitors while providing practical community spaces.

The memorial encompasses two main areas: a souvenir shop and a café, both designed to accommodate potential exhibitions. This dual functional approach provides opportunities for community engagement and educational programming, inviting users to interact with the memorial in various ways. The spatial organization promotes a visitor-friendly experience through open spaces and thoughtful circulation paths that encourage exploration.

Unique Design Elements and Materials

The architectural design employs a unique form language that symbolizes the Baltic Way. The building’s layout features a flowing silhouette and varying levels that evoke the undulating nature of the human chain. This design approach enhances the memorial’s narrative, serving as a tangible representation of unity and resilience.

Material selection is pivotal in achieving both structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. The project uses glass to create transparency, allowing natural light to permeate the space and enhancing connectivity with the surroundings. Concrete forms the structural backbone of the memorial, representing strength, while steel elements add modernity and detail. These materials work in concert to create an inviting space while subtly communicating the weight of the historical event it memorializes.

Functional and Aesthetic Integration

The memorial is further distinguished by its seamless integration with the landscape, enhancing the visitor experience and encouraging contemplation. The design strategically incorporates greenery, which softens the structural presence and aligns with the site's natural context. This landscaping not only enhances the memorial's aesthetic quality but also establishes a dialogue between the man-made and the natural environments.

Designed to be a community hub as well as a memorial, this project stands out by balancing architectural expression with practical functionality. It provides a space that serves as both a historical reference and a contemporary gathering point, making it distinctive among similar memorials. The design invites users to reflect on the past while participating in the present.

Explore the project presentation to gain deeper insights into the architectural plans, sections, designs, and ideas that shape this remarkable memorial. Understanding these elements will provide a comprehensive view of the project and its significance in the context of memorial architecture.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge invites architects and designers to create iconic public sculptures for one of two sites in Saudi Arabia: Abu Hadriyah Road or the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar. Proposals should reflect Saudi identity, culture, and future aspirations.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge is an international architecture and design competition inviting creatives to shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s public spaces. With a total prize fund of €50,000, the competition calls for sculptural proposals that merge cultural symbolism with innovative design, offering participants a chance to see their concepts brought to life in a rapidly transforming national context.

Organised by Buildner in partnership with the Mujassam Watan Initiative, the challenge focuses on two prominent locations: Abu Hadriyah Road, a major highway and gateway into the Eastern Province, and the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar, a pedestrian-focused waterfront district. Designers must select one site and develop a sculpture that engages with its surroundings—whether addressing the fast-paced dynamism of a transit corridor or creating moments of interaction along a coastal promenade.

Proposals should be bold, site-specific, and rooted in narrative—drawing on themes such as heritage, national identity, transformation, and dialogue. Environmental responsiveness, material durability, and feasibility are strongly encouraged, as winning projects may be selected for actual construction.

Each submission must include four A2 landscape presentation boards, a cover image, and a written project description. The competition is open to professionals and students alike, working individually or in teams of up to four people. No professional license is required.

Registration is open until July 24, 2025, with final submissions due by August 27, 2025. Winners will be announced on October 1, 2025.

Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge

Design iconic urban sculptures for the prestigious Mujassam Watan competition and compete for 50,000 €

50,000 € PRIZE project COMPETITION
Prize 50,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 24 July 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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