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Corten Steel Gate Defining Pathways for Women's Rights Memorial

Author:
Małgorzata Petelenz
Corten Steel Gate Defining Pathways for Women's Rights Memorial

Project in-detail

A corten steel gate marks the entry to a pathway that guides visitors through a constricting tunnel, symbolizing the struggle for women's rights, while serving as a public memorial in Błonia, Kraków.
5 key facts about this project
01
Corten steel gate serves as a symbolic entry point representing defiance.
02
The narrowing tunnel evokes feelings of confinement, reflecting societal limitations.
03
Pathway illuminated by red light guides visitors through the experience.
04
Design situated in Błonia, a significant site for public protests in Poland.
05
Memorial reflects on recent tragedies while inviting contemplation on ongoing struggles.

The design situated in Błonia, Kraków, focuses on the vital issue of women's rights, particularly within the context of the Black Protest movement in Poland. The installation acts as both a memorial and a space for discussion about gender equality, reflecting the current societal struggles surrounding autonomy. Its concept is grounded in historical events that have driven public protests, making the space significant.

Cultural Context
The installation starts by referencing the recent tragedies of Iza and Agnieszka, whose deaths in 2021 and 2022 sparked significant activism. This context situates the design within ongoing conversations about women's rights in Poland, highlighting the urgency of these issues. Being located in a key protest area adds emotional depth to the installation, transforming the site into a focal point for reflection and activism.

Design and Materials
A prominent feature of the design is a guided path illuminated by red light, leading visitors through a large corten steel gate. This entry point represents themes of anger and determination. The use of corten steel is intentional; its rust-colored, weathered appearance symbolizes resilience and engages the senses. The gate provides a powerful transition from the outside world into an enclosed space meant for introspection and awareness of issues.

Spatial Experience
Upon entering, visitors find themselves in a tunnel that becomes narrower as they proceed. This element is designed to create a sense of confinement, reflecting societal limitations on personal rights. As individuals navigate the restricted space, they are prompted to consider the barriers still faced in the fight for autonomy. This experience deepens their connection to the ongoing struggle for rights, making the narrative more impactful.

Concluding Detail
At the end of the tunnel, visitors are greeted by a source of light representing hope and the potential for change. This moment captures the essence of the journey, marking a transition from oppression to freedom, which reinforces the installation's purpose as a space for contemplation about contemporary social issues.

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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
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