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Charred Wooden Shingles and Glass Facades Create a Biophilic Community Center

Authors:
Michał Kwaśny, Marlena Kwaśny
Charred Wooden Shingles and Glass Facades Create a Biophilic Community Center

Project in-detail

With its elegant charred wooden shingles and expansive glass facades that enhance natural light, the community center serves as a beacon of engagement and vitality, seamlessly integrating sustainable design with a focus on communal interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced weather resistance and aesthetic depth.
02
Implements cross-laminated timber panels to reduce carbon footprint while ensuring structural integrity.
03
Features expansive glass facades that maximize natural light and create a strong indoor-outdoor connection.
04
Designed with a bent A-frame structure, allowing for innovative spatial flexibility.
05
Incorporates biophilic elements to foster a natural environment that promotes well-being and community engagement.
The architectural project under discussion embodies a thoughtful and practical approach to contemporary design, seamlessly blending functionality with an acute awareness of its environmental context. This project represents a commitment to sustainability and a deep-rooted connection to the local culture, setting the framework for its role within the community it serves. The design is characterized by a careful selection of materials, spatial organization, and innovative structural solutions that work harmoniously to create a meaningful architectural experience.

At its core, the structure is designed to function as a community hub, tasked with fostering social interaction and providing multifunctional spaces that cater to a diverse range of activities. This could include areas for gatherings, educational programs, and cultural exhibitions, illustrating a commitment to inclusivity and community engagement. The arrangement of spaces is purposeful, facilitating fluid movement and seamless transitions between different programmatic elements, which enhances the overall user experience. By prioritizing accessible and adaptable frameworks, the design ensures that the space can evolve with the community’s needs over time.

A unique aspect of this architectural design is its focus on materiality. The project employs a mix of concrete, glass, wood, and steel, each chosen for its properties and aesthetic contribution. Concrete serves as an enduring structural base, providing stability and thermal mass, while expansive glass facades invite natural light and promote an indoor-outdoor connection. The use of wood introduces warmth and a tactile quality to the interior, creating inviting spaces that encourage user interaction. Steel beams may be utilized for their structural integrity, allowing for open interiors that enhance flexibility in usage.

The design takes on a biophilic approach, integrating natural elements to create a sense of tranquility and connection to the surrounding environment. This might include features such as green walls, which not only add visual interest but also improve air quality and create a microclimate that benefits the building’s occupants. Outdoor spaces could be thoughtfully landscaped with indigenous plants, further reinforcing the project’s commitment to environmental sensitivity and ecological harmony.

Attention to detail resonates throughout the architectural design. Facade treatments may utilize shading devices that minimize solar gain while maximizing daylight penetration, enhancing energy efficiency. Inside, careful consideration is given to acoustics, ensuring that spaces are conducive to communication and collaboration. The layout may incorporate open areas alongside intimate nooks, providing varied environments that cater to the diverse needs and preferences of users.

This project distinguishes itself through its innovative design approaches that respond to both immediate context and broader societal challenges. By integrating sustainable practices with aesthetic considerations, the design serves as a community-oriented model that educators, designers, and city planners alike can draw inspiration from. Its emphasis on flexible design ensures that it remains relevant and functional as community dynamics evolve.

Exploring the architectural plans, sections, and other relevant architectural details will offer deeper insights into the project's execution and its underlying principles. By examining these elements, readers can appreciate how the design intricately weaves together functionality, sustainability, and community engagement, providing a clear example of contemporary architecture that is both relevant and responsive to its environment.
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MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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