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Curved Chapel with Metal Mesh Facade in Sustainable Elderly Co-Living Space

Author:
Piroska Varga
Curved Chapel with Metal Mesh Facade in Sustainable Elderly Co-Living Space
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A metal mesh façade encases a serene chapel and community gardens within an accessible co-living environment designed specifically for seniors, promoting both privacy and social interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
A unique curved chapel integrates natural light through expansive glass panels.
02
Metal mesh facilitates privacy while allowing airflow in communal areas.
03
Green roofs enhance the building’s thermal efficiency and biodiversity.
04
Wide corridors serve as social spaces, encouraging interaction among residents.
05
Landscaped gardens are specifically designed to promote relaxation and wellness.

### Overview

Agora Home is situated in Portugal and is designed specifically for senior co-living, aimed at fostering a supportive and inclusive community. The project seeks to address the challenges of loneliness among older adults by integrating communal living spaces with private residences. This design emphasizes social interaction, while also prioritizing the individual needs of residents, creating an environment conducive to a high quality of life in a natural setting.

### Spatial Strategy and User Experience

The design caters to both communal and private living through a carefully articulated spatial strategy. Communal areas include a multipurpose community space that serves as the heart of social activities, complemented by accessible garden areas that encourage outdoor engagement and relaxation. Corridors are designed to function as social spaces, promoting interaction among residents while facilitating movement throughout the building. Private living quarters comprise 32 single rooms and 18 twin rooms, each equipped with private bathrooms and balconies, allowing for personalization and independence alongside community interaction.

### Materiality and Environmental Integration

Material choices in Agora Home reflect a commitment to sustainability and comfort. Durable concrete forms the structural basis, while expansive glass elements enhance natural light and connect indoor spaces with the outdoors. Warm natural textures, such as wood, are utilized in furnishings to create inviting interiors. Landscape materials further enhance resident experience, integrating gardens that promote tranquility and socialization. The building's strategic orientation minimizes traffic impact, providing both privacy and abundant natural light, while maintaining harmony with the surrounding landscape through thoughtful design elements such as a chapel for quiet reflection.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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