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Charred Wooden Shingles Enhance Urban Connectivity in a Multifunctional Civic Space

Charred Wooden Shingles Enhance Urban Connectivity in a Multifunctional Civic Space
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Utilizing charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and aesthetic character, the design integrates a public library, residential units, and recreational spaces within a multifunctional urban square that fosters community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Uses charred wooden shingles to enhance durability and aesthetic appeal.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and sustainability.
03
Features a bent A-frame design to optimize natural light and spatial dynamics.
04
Includes a dedicated public library within the mixed-use facility promoting community access.
05
Integrates green terraces to foster urban biodiversity and recreational opportunities.

### Overview

Located in a contemporary urban setting, the redesigned central square seeks to meet the diverse social and functional requirements of the community. This initiative aims to enhance the usability of the square, creating a lively environment that serves both residents and visitors throughout the day. The layout incorporates elements that reflect the historical context of the site while addressing modern needs for engagement and interaction.

### Spatial Organization

The reconfigured City Square spans **14,000 square meters**, designed to host a variety of outdoor activities and social interactions. Central to this new urban fabric are areas intended for recreation and public engagement, featuring cafes, restaurants, and facilities that cater to a broad demographic. The inclusion of a **26-floor high-rise building** not only adds verticality to the skyline but also houses a public library, city administration offices, and residential units. Specific components include:
- An **11,800 square meter** library on the lower levels, designed to bridge traditional library functions with contemporary cultural needs.
- Approximately **6,000 square meters** dedicated to city administrative offices.
- Upper floors featuring **16,000 square meters** of apartments and offices to increase residential capacity.

Additionally, a **10,000 square meter** exhibition hall and multifunctional urban space supports diverse events, fostering cultural integration within the community.

### Materiality and Infrastructure

The selection of materials in this project underscores a commitment to sustainability and visual coherence. While specific materials were not detailed, the use of:
- **Reinforced concrete** for structural elements,
- **Glass** for facades to enhance natural lighting,
- **Steel** for framework and detailing,
is anticipated to contribute to both durability and aesthetic appeal.

The design also focuses on improving transportation infrastructure around the square, including dedicated bicycle lanes, car parks, and pedestrian-friendly pathways. A six-meter-wide sidewalk enhances safety and accessibility, facilitating movement and interaction across the space.

The overall design emphasizes visual connectivity and integration with local landmarks, such as the existing City Hall, contributing to a cohesive urban experience.

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Enter an open architecture
competition now

Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

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

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge

AIA (American Institute of Architects) invites you to design affordable housing in Denver

Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 18 September 2025

Recurring architecture competitions

The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 18 September 2025
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #7 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 September 2025
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
new
Re:Form - 
New Life 
for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

Edition #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 2 October 2025
Hospice - 
Home for the 
Terminally ill

Design a safe and supportive space to those struggling with a terminal illness

Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 10,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 9 October 2025
new
The Architect’s 
Stair

Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 15 October 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 16 October 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 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025
The Last 
Nuclear Bomb Memorial

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Edition #6 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 13 November 2025
Concrete 
Pavilion

Design a concrete pavilion

Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025

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