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Circular Water Feature Framing Community Engagement with Reinforced Concrete and Glass Elements

Author:
Antoine Hugo Dherbecourt
Circular Water Feature Framing Community Engagement with Reinforced Concrete and Glass Elements

Project in-detail

A central circular fountain is framed by a juxtaposition of reinforced concrete and glass, creating an inviting public space that fosters community interaction and cultural events in Kharkiv.
5 key facts about this project
01
A central circular fountain serves as a multifunctional gathering space for community events.
02
Reinforced concrete construction ensures durability while integrating sustainable design principles.
03
Glass elements provide transparency, enhancing visual connectivity between indoor and outdoor spaces.
04
The project incorporates diverse native plant species to promote urban biodiversity and environmental health.
05
Designed to honor local history, the memorial element reflects the themes of freedom and resilience.

### Project Overview

The Kharkiv Freedom Square Revival project focuses on revitalizing a significant public space in Kharkiv, Ukraine. The intent is to blend contemporary architectural practices with historical significance, creating a venue dedicated to remembrance and cultural interaction. The design aims to emphasize communal spaces for gatherings and activities while fostering both local and wider cultural exchanges, ultimately enriching the urban landscape for future generations.

### Architectural Elements and Materiality

Central to the design is an expansive circular fountain, serving as an agora for public assemblies and community events. Its smooth contours are intended to facilitate social interactions. Adjacent to the fountain, a prominent War Memorial honors those who lost their lives fighting for freedom, with a tall column symbolizing hope and remembrance. The Regional Administration Building underscores transparency and accessibility, featuring open spaces designed to promote interactions between administrative functions and the public.

The selection of materials reflects contemporary design principles as well as local craftsmanship. Reinforced concrete provides durability for foundational and structural elements. Elements of glass and steel create a modern aesthetic, particularly in the Regional Administration Building. Pedestrian pathways utilize pavement stone to maintain aesthetic coherence with the landscape, while wooden components enhance seating areas, fostering a connection to the environment.

### Landscape and Ecological Considerations

Greenery is integral to the design, featuring a diverse mix of trees, including lime, oak, and maple, strategically placed to offer shade and enhance visual appeal. The landscaped areas are designed to improve biodiversity and air quality, serving multifunctional roles as communal gardens for residents. The project's ecological design aims to restore balance within the urban fabric, reflecting an awareness of environmental issues in contemporary development.

These design features, both social and ecological, create a space that serves as a living memorial, reinforcing the historical significance of Freedom Square while providing a stage for ongoing dialogue about freedom and resilience.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
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MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
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