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Curved Wooden Walls Enhancing Community for the Visually Impaired

Authors:
Shizhao Lin, Mingxuan Yao, Fanrong Zeng, Xian Qu
Curved Wooden Walls Enhancing Community for the Visually Impaired

Project in-detail

Curved wooden walls create a tactile and navigable environment that fosters community interaction among visually impaired residents in a carefully organized living settlement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Curved walls enhance tactile navigation, reducing hazards for visually impaired residents.
02
The layout includes both private and communal courtyards to encourage social interaction.
03
Sound barrier-free facilities are designed to improve mobility and comfort.
04
A central wooden wall contributes to a warm, inviting atmosphere throughout the spaces.
05
Distinct areas are thoughtfully organized to balance personal privacy with community engagement.

"Controllable Boxes for the Blind" is designed as a living space for visually impaired individuals in China. The project focuses on creating a welcoming community where residents can freely interact. With an emphasis on accessibility, the design includes features that support mobility and promote social connections, addressing the everyday needs of its inhabitants.

Design Concept
The primary objective is to foster community among blind individuals. By integrating living spaces that encourage interaction, the design helps combat feelings of isolation. The layout is carefully considered, promoting a sense of safety while allowing residents to engage with one another in a comfortable environment.

Spatial Organization
The layout consists of various areas, including bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, studies, storerooms, and both private and public courtyards. These distinct spaces provide opportunities for personal privacy and communal experiences. Strategic placement of common areas allows for meaningful social engagement and interaction among residents, reinforcing the project's goal of community.

Tactile Experience
Curved walls are a significant feature of the design, minimizing the risks posed by right angles. This design choice not only contributes to safety but also aids in navigation. Residents can easily orient themselves, making the environment more user-friendly. By eliminating unnecessary walls, the workspace becomes simpler to navigate, supporting independent movement.

Material Consideration
The inclusion of a central wooden wall adds warmth to the overall design. This material choice enhances the emotional comfort of residents while remaining functional. It helps create spaces that are inviting, balancing the needs of safety with a more pleasant living experience.

The project’s thoughtful design details, combined with a focus on both accessibility and community, create a nurturing environment that supports the daily lives of visually impaired individuals.

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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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