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Concrete Textile Blocks Shaping Intimate Urban Spaces

Author:
Elias Nourry
Concrete Textile Blocks Shaping Intimate Urban Spaces

Project in-detail

Textile blocks crafted from concrete create a series of interconnected, intimate spaces that redefine urban living through functionality and thoughtful design.
5 key facts about this project
01
Textile blocks are produced using advanced concrete techniques that enhance thermal efficiency.
02
Negative and heterotopic spaces are integrated to foster community interaction and personal privacy.
03
The design emphasizes a fluid connection between indoor living areas and the surrounding landscape.
04
Modular components allow for flexibility in use and space configuration.
05
Each block serves multiple functions, reducing waste and promoting sustainability.

The architectural design presents a detailed reinterpretation of brutalism, grounded in historical influence while addressing the needs of modern living. Located in an urban setting, the building emphasizes modular design, utilizing concrete for the mass production of repetitive elements. By doing this, it opens up exploration of space, inviting interaction and connection between the structure and its users.

Modularity and Functionality

At the core of the design is the combination of mass production and individual importance. Each unit is represented through specific blocks, including insulation, service, and seating blocks, which become essential parts of daily life. This focus on modularity challenges traditional ideas about use and appearance, offering aesthetic value that exists apart from typical utility.

Spatial Relationships

The design incorporates negative and heterotopic spaces, which play an important role in how the building operates. Living areas are linked through overlapping spaces, encouraging movement and connection among people. This arrangement adds to the overall functionality while promoting a sense of community and individuality in everyday experiences.

Integration with Environment

The connection between indoor and outdoor spaces is another highlight of the design. Instead of relying only on clear views, the architecture fosters intimacy and a connection with the surrounding landscape. This relationship helps to blend indoor and outdoor areas, enhancing the experience for users and creating a harmonious environment.

Ornamentation and Aesthetics

The approach to ornamentation in the design seeks to merge form and function. By focusing on the relationship between these aspects, it avoids superficial decoration and establishes a strong narrative. Each architectural block serves not just as a physical part of the structure but also as a meaningful element in the overall experience of the space.

Light plays a vital role in the experience of the design. As it filters through various surfaces, it creates interesting patterns and shadows that change throughout the day. This interplay enhances the spatial experience, inviting users to engage with their environment in thoughtful ways. Each arrangement of blocks contributes to a unique setting, fostering connection and exploration.

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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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