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Charred Wooden Shingles Enveloping a Responsive Café Structure in Urban Spaces

Authors:
Zi Jin Wong, Tsz Ying Victoria Tong
Charred Wooden Shingles Enveloping a Responsive Café Structure in Urban Spaces
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The integration of charred wooden shingles and a flexible roof structure creates a visually distinctive café that prioritizes social interaction within urban environments.
5 key facts about this project
01
The design incorporates a prominent chimney that visually represents the café's coffee culture.
02
Flexible roof panels allow for climate-responsive adjustments.
03
A community-focused layout facilitates varied seating configurations for social interaction.
04
Constructed with charred wooden shingles, enhancing durability and reducing maintenance.
05
The integration of glass elements maximizes natural light while connecting interior and exterior spaces.

## Project Overview

The Fika Chimney is situated in urban environments, designed to serve as a café and social hub that fosters community engagement through the concept of "fika," a Swedish practice of taking a coffee break to relax and socialize. This project blends functionality with aesthetics, aiming to enrich urban life by providing a welcoming space for individuals to gather and connect.

### Spatial Strategy and User Interaction

The architectural framework prioritizes flexibility, enabling the café to adjust its layout according to user needs and environmental conditions. The design incorporates adaptable roof panels, allowing the space to transition from open to sheltered according to weather changes. Communal seating arrangements are integral, promoting dialogue and interaction among patrons. The distinctive chimney, a central visual element, operates both as a beacon and as a metaphor for the café's invitation to engage with the culture of coffee.

### Materiality and Sustainability

The construction employs a strategic selection of materials that balance aesthetic appeal with sustainability. Timber forms the primary structure, offering natural warmth, while a waterproof membrane encloses the chimney, ensuring durability without compromising design integrity. Glass panels integrated into the roof facilitate natural light, enhancing the user experience by connecting indoor and outdoor spaces. Steel components provide structural stability, and prefabricated timber beams simplify assembly and adaptability in diverse settings. The incorporation of strategically placed lighting fixtures further enhances the atmosphere, ensuring usability throughout the day and into the evening.

By focusing on these elements, the Fika Chimney reconciles a contemporary architectural approach with environmental considerations, creating an adaptable space that enhances urban interactions while promoting the cultural significance of communal coffee breaks.

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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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Competition organisers

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 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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