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Charred Wooden Shingles and Thermal Wood Create a Resilient Health-Focused Community Space

Author:
Débora Silva
Charred Wooden Shingles and Thermal Wood Create a Resilient Health-Focused Community Space
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Crafted from charred wooden shingles and thermal wood, the design integrates biophilic elements into a health-focused community space that promotes wellness and social interaction in an urban setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted with charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and aesthetic appeal.
02
Features an innovative bent A-frame design that maximizes natural light penetration.
03
Utilizes cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and environmental performance.
04
Incorporates extensive green roofs to improve biodiversity and provide therapeutic spaces.
05
Designed with flexible communal areas to foster social interactions among users.

## Overview
The Krakow Oxigen House is situated in Krakow, Poland, addressing the urgent issue of urban air pollution while contributing to the city's architectural landscape. The design focuses on creating a supportive environment for cancer patients and their families, facilitating social interactions and access to healthcare resources. This response to public health challenges integrates contemporary design with elements that promote wellness and a connection to nature.

## Architectural Composition
### Overall Form
The structure consists of two primary geometric volumes, strategically oriented to create engaging spatial relationships and visual dynamics. These forms are designed to provide a sense of comfort while maintaining distinct identities. A third volume, characterized by asymmetrical, sinuous lines, adds complexity, reflecting organic growth patterns found in nature. This design element enhances the connection between the built environment and its natural surroundings.

### Materiality
A carefully selected palette of materials enhances the project's concept of healing while ensuring aesthetic harmony:
- The use of **white finishes** conveys tranquility and integrates well with the urban context, featuring a modern simplicity.
- **Thermally modified wood** improves thermal insulation and introduces an organic element, particularly in communal areas designed for interaction.
- Extensive **glass surfaces** facilitate a strong connection between interior and exterior spaces, allowing natural light to penetrate the building and fostering openness.

### Unique Features
1. **Natural Integration**: The incorporation of green roofs and gardens enhances biodiversity and provides environments for contemplation and relaxation, actively supporting mental well-being.
2. **Spatial Dynamics**: An open layout promotes community engagement, essential for the emotional health of users. Shared areas are designed to encourage social interaction.
3. **Adaptive Use of Space**: The arrangement includes multifunctional spaces, such as consultation rooms, community areas, and private zones, allowing flexibility to cater to diverse activities and user needs.

The ground floor features a defined entrance leading to communal areas and consultation rooms, ensuring accessibility to support services. The first floor includes serene spaces for reflection and group activities alongside a green terrace, integrating nature with social functions. The design addresses both the immediate health needs of the community and the broader environmental context, emphasizing sustainable architectural solutions.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
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