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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.

## Project Overview

"From Readers to Authors" is a Reading Room located near Simsee, close to Rosenheim in Bavaria, Germany. The project is designed to encapsulate themes of farewell and reflection within a literary context, taking advantage of the tranquil lakes and surrounding mountains. The intent is to create a space that encourages personal engagement with literature, fostering a connection between readers and fictional characters.

### Interactive Spatial Design

The architectural layout emphasizes both public interaction and private reflection. An open-sided design facilitates engagement with the natural environment while maintaining an intimate atmosphere. Key features include "farewell panels" made of wooden structures where visitors can attach handwritten notes to express their thoughts. This design promotes a sense of community and encourages deeper engagement with narratives, effectively merging the roles of readers and authors. The internal organization separates public areas from more secluded spaces, guiding visitors through an intuitive flow that reflects the narrative journey inherent in literature.

### Material Selection and Sustainability

The materials used in the construction reflect a commitment to sustainability and functionality. The framework consists of wooden round bars that partition spaces while allowing unobstructed views. Wooden plates provide surfaces for farewell notes, reinforcing the interactive aspect of the design. Transparent polycarbonate sheets facilitate natural light entry, ensuring durability for outdoor use. Curved wooden panels enhance the tactile quality of walls and seating areas, while recycled sailcloth is employed in lounge seating to underscore ecological priorities. Additionally, ropes are utilized for suspending decorative “floating books,” enhancing the interactive experience within the space. The combination of modular and custom elements in construction enables ease of assembly while ensuring structural integrity.

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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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