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Colored Acrylic Panels and Flexible Soft Seating Enhance Gender-Neutral Sanitary Facilities in Austrian Schools

Authors:
Lisa Hirsch, Leonie Georgopoulos
Colored Acrylic Panels and Flexible Soft Seating Enhance Gender-Neutral Sanitary Facilities in Austrian Schools

Project in-detail

Utilizing colored acrylic panels and modular soft seating, the design redefines gender-neutral sanitary facilities in Austrian schools, creating inviting spaces that encourage accessibility and social interaction among students.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates colored acrylic panels that provide visual privacy while maintaining an open atmosphere.
02
Features modular soft seating designed for comfort and flexible use in communal spaces.
03
Includes family-sized cubicles to accommodate diverse user needs and provide accessibility.
04
Utilizes a layout that emphasizes interaction and circulation among users for a community-focused environment.
05
Integrates durable stainless steel fixtures to enhance hygiene and reduce maintenance requirements.

### Project Overview
The initiative focuses on the design of a gender-neutral sanitary area intended for implementation in Austrian schools. The modular design aims to promote inclusivity, challenging conventional notions of sanitary spaces within educational settings. The project seeks to enhance social interaction and accessibility, thereby reflecting the diverse needs of users.

### Spatial Configuration and User Experience
The design employs a modular and flexible approach, positioning the toilet facilities as a central hub within an open floor plan. This layout encourages circulation and communal engagement, moving away from traditional binary gender classifications. Insights gathered from high school students specializing in gender inclusivity informed the design process, thereby ensuring that the needs of future users are prioritized. The arrangement features colorful modular seating, which serves both as functional furniture and spatial dividers, enhancing user interaction while maintaining a sense of privacy.

### Material Choices and Functional Aspects
A carefully selected palette of materials contributes to the overall welcoming atmosphere. Colored acrylic panels introduce transparency and visual interest while providing privacy. The soft seating, crafted from foam and fabric, encourages comfort and adaptability, allowing for informal gatherings. Durable stainless steel fixtures are utilized in sinks and plumbing, ensuring hygiene and longevity. Additionally, strategically placed mirror surfaces enhance spatial perception, while seamless surfaces in countertop areas facilitate ease of maintenance. The integration of these materials creates a dynamic environment that balances individual needs with opportunities for social interaction.

The facility features inclusive elements, including wheelchair-accessible amenities and family-sized cubicles, further emphasizing its commitment to accommodating a diverse range of users. Graphical elements within the design serve both aesthetic and functional roles, enriching the user experience and reinforcing the project's focus on inclusivity and community engagement.

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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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