Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Curved Wood Panels and Transparent Materials Create an Intimate Reading Space Amid Scenic Landscapes

Authors:
Stefanie Kade, Tamina Seifert
Curved Wood Panels and Transparent Materials Create an Intimate Reading Space Amid Scenic Landscapes

Project in-detail

Curved wooden panels and transparent polycarbonate sheets form a welcoming Reading Room that invites visitors to reflect on literature while harmonizing with the natural beauty of Simsee's landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Curved wood panels create a seamless blend of structure and environment.
02
Interactive farewell panels encourage visitor engagement with literature.
03
Open framework design promotes natural light and scenic views.
04
Utilization of recycled materials underscores sustainability efforts.
05
Milled openings facilitate versatile space configurations for various activities.

The project, titled "From Readers to Authors," is an architectural design focused on creating a Reading Room within the serene environment of Simsee, near Rosenheim in Bavaria, Germany. The primary aim is to provide a space dedicated to literature, allowing visitors to reflect on and interact with their favorite stories and characters. The design emphasizes themes of connection, both among individuals and with literature. This structure acts as a facilitator for personal engagement with texts, encouraging visitors to write notes and messages directed to fictional characters, thereby transforming the way literature is experienced.

Unique Design Approaches

The design incorporates an open framework, which fosters a strong connection between the interior and the surrounding natural landscape. This transparency is essential in creating a communal atmosphere while still offering privacy for individual reflection. The building features wooden round bars that allow for flexibility in layout and structural integrity, serving multiple functions as both a functional and aesthetic component of the design. The inclusion of farewell panels, where visitors can leave messages and notes, is a distinctive aspect, making the space dynamic and interactive.

Additionally, the use of materials such as curved wooden panels, polycarbonate solid sheets, and recycled sailcloth exemplifies a commitment to sustainability and innovation. The interplay of these materials creates an inviting environment that is both durable and reflective of the natural surroundings. The effective use of seating variations and milled openings for ease of access showcases the careful consideration of user experience.

Community Engagement and Aesthetic Harmony

The Reading Room is intentionally designed to facilitate community engagement. The spatial organization divides the area into public and private zones, optimizing the balance between social interaction and solitary reflection. Elevation changes within the design enhance the overall user experience by offering various vantage points, allowing visitors to engage with both the space and the landscape in unique ways.

This approach supports a narrative flow that mirrors a literary experience, guiding users through an exploration of their relationship with stories and characters. The architectural choices made throughout the project underscore its purpose as a literary haven, blending functionality with a thoughtful design that reflects its context.

By exploring architectural plans, sections, and elevations of this project, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the architectural ideas that shaped its development. The "From Readers to Authors" project stands as a noteworthy example of how architecture can create spaces that enrich human experiences through literature.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge invites architects and designers to create iconic public sculptures for one of two sites in Saudi Arabia: Abu Hadriyah Road or the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar. Proposals should reflect Saudi identity, culture, and future aspirations.

`

The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge is an international architecture and design competition inviting creatives to shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s public spaces. With a total prize fund of €50,000, the competition calls for sculptural proposals that merge cultural symbolism with innovative design, offering participants a chance to see their concepts brought to life in a rapidly transforming national context.

Organised by Buildner in partnership with the Mujassam Watan Initiative, the challenge focuses on two prominent locations: Abu Hadriyah Road, a major highway and gateway into the Eastern Province, and the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar, a pedestrian-focused waterfront district. Designers must select one site and develop a sculpture that engages with its surroundings—whether addressing the fast-paced dynamism of a transit corridor or creating moments of interaction along a coastal promenade.

Proposals should be bold, site-specific, and rooted in narrative—drawing on themes such as heritage, national identity, transformation, and dialogue. Environmental responsiveness, material durability, and feasibility are strongly encouraged, as winning projects may be selected for actual construction.

Each submission must include four A2 landscape presentation boards, a cover image, and a written project description. The competition is open to professionals and students alike, working individually or in teams of up to four people. No professional license is required.

Registration is open until July 24, 2025, with final submissions due by August 27, 2025. Winners will be announced on October 1, 2025.

Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge

Design iconic urban sculptures for the prestigious Mujassam Watan competition and compete for 50,000 €

50,000 € PRIZE project COMPETITION
Prize 50,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 24 July 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #2
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy