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Diamond-Shaped Pavilion Featuring Prisma Glass and Floating Pontoons for Marine Research

Authors:
Courtney Wuerfel-wright, Hanna Rohst, Yi-ting Lai
Diamond-Shaped Pavilion Featuring Prisma Glass and Floating Pontoons for Marine Research
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Anchored at sea level, the diamond-shaped pavilion combines Prisma glass and floating pontoons to create a space for marine research and cultural exchange.
5 key facts about this project
01
Diamond shape enhances structural stability and aesthetic appeal.
02
Prisma glass façade creates a visual connection to the marine environment.
03
Anchored pontoons allow flexibility in design and function.
04
Underwater research facilities support marine biology studies.
05
Modular layout facilitates international cultural events and exchanges.

The DEEP BLUE Taiwan Pavilion stands as a notable structure at the edge of the sea, engaging with both the water and the sky. It serves as an underwater research station and a cultural pavilion, connecting people to marine and atmospheric environments. The design features a diamond-like shape, symbolizing clarity and the human desire to understand the unknown.

Architectural Composition

The pavilion comprises multiple functional areas that promote interaction and learning. The culture pavilion includes workshops, a café, and spaces for conferences. These elements encourage both local and international visitors to engage with the building and its purpose. The design reflects a commitment to community involvement while supporting narratives of scientific and cultural discovery.

Structural Integrity

A series of anchored pontoons form the pavilion's main structure, creating a flexible platform that can adapt for various events. This design minimizes environmental impact by maintaining stability in the marine setting. The anchored core provides a secure foundation, allowing the surrounding ecosystem to thrive without disruption.

Material Selection

Transparency and light are central themes, achieved through the use of Prisma glass in the façade. This choice allows natural light to fill the interior while creating a connection with the outdoor landscape. Metal sandwich construction ensures durability, and the railings, made of metal wiring infill, enhance safety. The plastic pontoons are designed with circular air infill, ensuring they float well and remain stable in fluctuating water levels.

Design Detail

The pavilion’s base features fiberglass reinforced plastic formwork, providing a robust foundation for the structure. Acrylic underwater glass panels create opportunities for immersion, allowing visitors to look into the marine world below. This design encourages exploration and inquiry, merging the realms of science and nature in a meaningful way.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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