Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Curvilinear Form Featuring Weathered Steel and Glass Façades in a Public Memorial Space

Author:
Román Montoto
Curvilinear Form Featuring Weathered Steel and Glass Façades in a Public Memorial Space

Project in-detail

With a curvilinear form made from weathered steel and expansive glass façades, the memorial serves as a reflective space that honors a monumental historical event while facilitating community engagement through its educational and social functions.
5 key facts about this project
01
Curvilinear architectural form mimics the human chain of the historic protest.
02
Weathered steel integrates with the landscape, reflecting durability and time.
03
Interactive exhibition spaces enhance visitor engagement and education.
04
A rooftop garden provides a unique vantage point for reflection and community gathering.
05
Sustainable practices employed in construction promote environmental responsibility.

The Baltic Way Memorial, situated in Riga, Latvia, serves to commemorate a pivotal moment in the region's history—the peaceful protest of 1989 in which approximately two million individuals participated to assert their desire for independence from Soviet rule. The architectural design of the memorial reflects the themes of unity and collective memory, aiming to provide a space for reflection, education, and community engagement.

The design organizes various functional areas, including exhibition spaces, a café, and a rooftop garden. These components are structured around a central circulation spine that facilitates movement and interaction among visitors. The thoughtful interplay of spaces encourages a connection to the historical narrative being portrayed while fostering a sense of community.

Material choices in the Baltic Way Memorial include glass, steel, concrete, and wood, each selected for its ability to contribute to the overall experience of the space. Glass façades promote transparency and openness, allowing natural light to flood interior spaces and offering views of the surrounding environment. The use of weathered steel provides structural integrity and a connection to the historical context of the memorial. Concrete offers durability for pathways and foundational elements, while wood introduces warmth to the atmosphere, balancing the more industrial materials used.

Unique Design Approaches The architectural approach emphasizes fluidity through a form that mimics the human chain created during the protest. This undulating shape enhances the spatial quality of the memorial, inviting visitors to engage with the site from multiple perspectives. The design prioritizes accessibility and interaction, incorporating seating areas and vantage points that encourage contemplation and dialogue.

Integrating greenery within the site promotes a connection to nature, symbolizing growth and resilience. The landscape design complements the architectural elements, fostering an environment where both history and nature coexist. Furthermore, the memorial utilizes sustainable practices in its construction, enhancing its relevance in contemporary architectural discourse.

Visitor Experience The visitor experience is central to the design, with pathways leading through various zones that illustrate the historical event's significance. Exhibition spaces showcasing multimedia content aim to educate visitors about the context of the Baltic Way and its impact on the independence movement. The café and souvenir shop provide areas for relaxation and social interaction, reinforcing the memorial's role as a community hub.

The roof garden offers a unique vantage point from which visitors can appreciate both the memorial and the cityscape. This elevated space encourages reflection and provides a serene environment for contemplation of the historical events.

The Baltic Way Memorial exemplifies a thoughtful architectural response to a complex historical narrative, creating an engaging and multifaceted environment for visitors. For further insights into the project, explore the architectural plans, sections, and detailed designs that elucidate the integration of historical context and contemporary architecture.

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

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
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
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