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Curvilinear Transparency with Glass and Wood in a Child Care Facility

Authors:
Ningyue Wang, Yuqing Pan, Zichen Huang, Yanqi Huang
Curvilinear Transparency with Glass and Wood in a Child Care Facility
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Curvilinear forms and extensive glass facades combine with sustainable materials to create a child care facility designed to foster healing and playfulness in a coastal environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Curvilinear design creates inviting, playful spaces that reduce clinical atmosphere.
02
Extensive use of glass promotes visibility and connection with the outdoors.
03
Sensory gardens integrate therapeutic elements into the landscape.
04
Rooms are specifically designed for both individual and communal activities.
05
Sustainable practices are emphasized through the use of low-VOC materials.

### Overview

Located along the coast of Anqing, China, the Healing Candy Center is designed as a childcare facility aimed at supporting children with health challenges. Its site selection alongside marine parks and residential areas enhances accessibility for families and caregivers while promoting the therapeutic benefits associated with natural surroundings. The design prioritizes creating a nurturing environment, using playful and whimsical elements to help foster a sense of safety and creativity among its young users.

### Spatial Strategy and User Experience

The layout effectively organizes spaces into distinct zones to facilitate both private and communal interactions. The first floor includes reception and shared areas for play and socialization, while the second floor is dedicated to therapeutic activities and private treatment spaces. The third floor accommodates administrative functions, ensuring a structural separation from active zones to minimize distractions. Curvilinear forms dominate the architecture, softening the perception of the facility and encouraging exploration. Sensory gardens and interactive play areas are integrated into the design, promoting physical and cognitive engagement for children during their treatment processes.

### Materiality and Sustainability

Emphasis on material choice reflects a commitment to both aesthetic and environmental considerations. The facade features a glass curtain wall that allows ample natural light into the interior while enhancing visibility and security. Concrete serves structural needs while accommodating the organic shapes of the design. Interior spaces are enriched with warm wood elements and soft textiles, promoting comfort and tactile interactions. Low VOC paints contribute to an improved indoor air quality—vital for the health of its young occupants. The approach to sustainability is evident in the minimization of energy usage through natural lighting techniques and the selection of eco-friendly materials, aligning with broader environmental goals.

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Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
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Chair
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100,000€ Prize / 2025

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

Open architecture competitions

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    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
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Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 18 September 2025

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