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A Multifunctional Brick and Timber Pavilion for Reading and Reflection

Author:
Samuel Armange
A Multifunctional Brick and Timber Pavilion for Reading and Reflection
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The Daedalus Maze is a multifunctional community pavilion made from hollow brick and unrefined timber. It invites solitary and social engagement through layered spatial experiences that promote reading, reflection, and interaction with nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Penrose stair-inspired circulation creates vertical rhythm.
02
Viewing platforms offer framed sightlines of forest.
03
Staggered walls balance openness with spatial enclosure.
04
Integrated book exchange points ensure weather protection.
05
Claustra walls maintain intimacy in larger communal areas.

The Daedalus Maze is a conceptual community pavilion that explores movement, memory, and interaction through a layered spatial sequence inspired by the myth of Daedalus and Icarus. Designed to support reading, reflection, and communal gathering, the pavilion guides visitors along an ascending route that balances solitary exploration with opportunities for shared experience.

Spatial Sequence and Circulation

The design incorporates a Penrose stair–inspired circulation system that establishes a vertical rhythm throughout the pavilion. This ascending pathway opens to multiple viewing platforms, offering framed sightlines across the surrounding forest. Staggered walls and semi-transparent brickwork maintain a balance between openness and enclosure, creating a dynamic spatial journey. Seating is integrated in the form of flexible bleachers and benches, supporting both informal rest and programmed activities such as reading circles and workshops.

Material Strategy and Functional Elements

The structure is built from uncut wooden beams, uncut steel profiles, hollow bricks, waterproof canvas, and steel-and-wood assemblies. The porous brick walls promote passive ventilation and visual permeability, while the timber and steel provide structural stability. Claustra walls create visual connections between spaces while preserving intimacy in larger areas. Dedicated book exchange points are integrated into the layout, with waterproof storage ensuring books are protected from weather. Modular components allow for adaptability and ease of maintenance, reinforcing the pavilion’s community-oriented function.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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