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Corten Steel Bike Rack and Plywood Shelters in a Community Reading Space

Author:
Simona Guergova
Corten Steel Bike Rack and Plywood Shelters in a Community Reading Space

Project in-detail

Constructed with Corten steel and plywood, the modular design incorporates a bike rack and reading space, fostering community interaction through its unique open forms and practical functions.
5 key facts about this project
01
The Open Book module allows independent book exchange through its integrated bookcase.
02
Movable poufs provide flexible seating options to enhance user interaction.
03
The bike rack is crafted from Corten steel, integrating durability and aesthetic coherence.
04
The Inkwell's circular design promotes accessibility from all sides for community members.
05
Minimal concrete point foundations enable simple installation with low environmental impact.

The project consists of three unique modules situated in a public space designed to enhance community interaction. These modules provide areas for reading, bike storage, and book exchange. The overall concept emphasizes functionality and accessibility, inviting users to engage with their surroundings in a meaningful way.

Open Book

The first module is named Open Book and serves as both a reading space and a book storage unit. It is designed to resemble an open book, featuring three open sides that allow for easy access and views. This structure includes one wall that acts as a bookcase, enabling independent book exchange. Seating alternatives such as movable poufs and static wooden benches cater to a variety of user needs. With a footprint of 12.5 m², the module requires only minimal excavation supported by three concrete point foundations.

Bike Rack

The second module functions as a bike rack, accommodating four to five bicycles. Constructed from corten steel, it combines durability with a simple aesthetic. This bike rack adds convenience for cyclists, allowing them to secure their bikes beneath the Open Book module, providing shelter from the elements. Its presence supports cycling as a practical and sustainable mode of transportation.

The Inkwell

The third module, known as The Inkwell, operates as a book exchange box. Its circular shape allows users to access it from any side, promoting easy interaction. The module features sliding doors made from bent wood, offering a unique way to reach four internal shelves. With a volume of 1 m³, The Inkwell is designed to withstand weather elements, ensuring it remains a functional community resource throughout the year.

The design effectively combines functional elements that encourage reading and promote literacy in a communal setting. Each module not only serves its individual purpose but also contributes to the overall functionality of the space, making it a resourceful addition to the urban landscape. A subtle, cohesive design approach ties the modules together, inviting users to explore and engage actively with their environment.

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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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