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Curved Glass And Modular Wood Design Enhancing Urban Coffee Experience

Authors:
Katherine Chan, Jaclyn Hersh, Hubert Chang, Kenneth Ho
Curved Glass And Modular Wood Design Enhancing Urban Coffee Experience

Project in-detail

Curved glass elements and modular wood construction create a flexible coffee kiosk that enhances urban interaction while providing a welcoming space for community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Curved glass enhances natural light penetration while promoting visual connection to the urban environment.
02
Modular structure allows for easy transportation and adaptability to various contexts.
03
Removable wood paneling provides shelter and adjusts to changing weather conditions.
04
Circular counter design promotes social interaction and efficient service flow.
05
Sustainable water management system ensures responsible utility use without relying on city resources.

### Project Overview
The Commune Coffee Kiosk is situated within a bustling urban environment, designed to serve as both a social hub and a respite for city dwellers. The architectural concept draws inspiration from Wassily Kandinsky's painting "Circles in a Circle," focusing on balance and composition. The kiosk provides a versatile space for interaction, encouraging users to pause and enjoy quality coffee amidst the city's activity.

### Design Concept and User Experience
The design emphasizes fluidity and harmony with circular forms and interconnected spaces that promote community engagement. The circular geometry facilitates social interaction among patrons and optimizes natural light and ventilation for enhanced comfort. Two distinct counter systems—a central counter for patrons desiring to linger and an outer crescent-shaped counter for those on the go—support efficient user flow and operational flexibility, accommodating varied user needs throughout different times of day.

### Materiality and Sustainability
The architectural palette integrates sustainable and durable materials that prioritize both aesthetics and practicality. Curved glass elements in the form of sliding windows and hinge doors foster transparency and connect the interior with the surrounding urban environment, while removable curved wood paneling provides aesthetic appeal and adaptability based on weather conditions. Structural wooden support posts contribute to the overall organic feel of the space, enhancing the kiosk's connection to nature.

Key operational features support sustainability, including a water management system designed for efficient use and treatment of wastewater, ensuring all waste is handled responsibly. Generators provide a reliable electrical supply, allowing independence from urban infrastructure. The modular design of the kiosk enables easy relocation, with the outer crescent counter able to rotate and fold for transport, reflecting adaptability to changing seasonal demands and usage patterns.

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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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