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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.

### Overview

The Baltic Way Memorial, located in Riga, Latvia, commemorates the significant peaceful protest of 1989, during which approximately two million people formed a human chain across the Baltic states to assert their desire for independence from Soviet control. The memorial serves as a site for reflection and education, aiming to instill a sense of pride and collective memory while fostering an understanding of this pivotal moment in history.

### Spatial Organization

The design employs a central circulation spine that connects various functional areas, facilitating a fluid visitor experience. This includes a designated exhibition space that showcases multimedia narratives and historical artifacts related to the Baltic Way, enhancing educational engagement. Additional areas such as a café and souvenir shop have been incorporated to provide visitors with opportunities for rest and social interaction, enriching the overall context of remembrance. A roof garden further complements the design, creating a space for contemplation and interaction with nature, symbolizing growth and resilience.

### Material Selection

The material palette is carefully chosen to reflect both the memorial’s conceptual themes and structural needs. Extensive use of glass fosters transparency, allowing natural light to permeate the space while providing panoramic views of the surrounding area, symbolizing openness and connection. The inclusion of weathered steel complements the modern aesthetic of the structure and echoes historical significance through its surface texture. Concrete pathways establish a durable foundation, while wood accents introduce warmth and a human scale, balancing the more industrial elements of steel and glass. This thoughtful integration of materials contributes to the striking contrast between the rigid geometry of the steel frame and the fluid lines of the glass façade, enriching the visitors' experience as they navigate through the memorial.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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

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
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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