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Circular Plaza Defined by Clay Brick and Transparent Facades Promoting Community Interaction

Authors:
Ozan çeli̇k, Yunus Alperen Basak, Aspasia Mitropapa
Circular Plaza Defined by Clay Brick and Transparent Facades Promoting Community Interaction

Project in-detail

A circular plaza framed by clay brick and glass facades facilitates community interaction while seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces within a multifunctional mixed-use complex in Almería.
5 key facts about this project
01
Circular plaza serves as a central gathering space for community engagement.
02
Facade incorporates a combination of clay brick and glass for thermal efficiency and transparency.
03
Pathways strategically guide movement between private and public zones.
04
Sustainable features include rainwater harvesting and passive cooling systems.
05
Design integrates local historical context, reflecting Almería's architectural heritage.

**Project Overview**
"A Space for Past and Future" is a mixed-use complex located in Almería, Spain, encompassing an area of 33,500 square feet. The design integrates historical context with contemporary architectural principles, fostering a dialogue between the past and future. This approach aims to engage the local community through spatial configurations that encourage interaction and exploration.

**Spatial Strategy**
The layout of the complex is deliberately organized into distinct zones, designed to balance public and private experiences. A central circular element serves as a communal gathering space, encouraging inclusivity and social interaction. Public areas include gardens and plazas that facilitate congregation, while private zones offer moments for reflection. The circulation paths enhance user experience by guiding movement through the site, promoting exploration and discovery.

**Materiality and Sustainability**
Careful consideration was given to the material palette, reflecting both the environmental conditions of Almería and the underlying design philosophy. Clay bricks are used to provide thermal mass and visual warmth, while concrete offers durability across structural elements. Glass fosters transparency, creating connections between indoor and outdoor spaces, and steel contributes to the contemporary aesthetic. Sustainable features such as rainwater harvesting and passive cooling techniques are integrated, demonstrating a commitment to environmental responsibility while enhancing the overall design.

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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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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