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Elevated Public Spaces Forged With Painted Timber And Translucent Polycarbonate

Author:
Lucy Wang
Elevated Public Spaces Forged With Painted Timber And Translucent Polycarbonate

Project in-detail

Incorporating painted timber and translucent polycarbonate, the design creates elevated gathering spaces that foster community interaction and accommodate diverse public activities.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates translucent polycarbonate for natural light penetration and visual connectivity.
02
Features elevated terraces that offer multiple viewpoints for users.
03
Integrates green landscaping elements to promote urban biodiversity.
04
Utilizes painted timber to enhance warmth and vibrancy within the public space.
05
Designed as a flexible venue to accommodate diverse community events.

### Overview
Located in Adelaide, Australia, the Adelaide Creative Square serves as a multifunctional public space designed to enhance social interaction, creativity, and community events. Drawing inspiration from the intricate design of the Italian Piazza del Campo, the square fosters an inclusive environment that encourages gatherings and a strong emotional connection with the surrounding urban fabric. Strategically shaped to create a welcoming atmosphere, the design invites users to engage with both the space and each other, promoting a vibrant community life.

### Spatial Strategy
The layout of the square prioritizes openness and movement, featuring distinct zones that accommodate a variety of activities such as markets, exhibitions, and performances. Elevated terraces offer unique vantage points for observing events and informal socialization, while the integration of ramps and steps ensures accessibility for all users. This carefully considered spatial organization not only facilitates fluid interaction but also aligns with the pre-existing urban context of Adelaide, ensuring a cohesive relationship with adjacent structures.

### Materiality and Sustainability
The selection of materials for the Creative Square emphasizes sustainability and modern design aesthetics. Treated pine serves as the primary material for structural elements, with its warmth and vibrant colors enhancing the visual appeal of the space. Translucent polycarbonate panels are employed in both internal and external walls, allowing natural light to permeate the area while maintaining visual connectivity with the outdoors. A robust steel framework supports the elevated terraces, ensuring durability and safety, while landscaped areas introduce greenery that promotes urban biodiversity and creates a calming atmosphere. Collectively, these materials fulfill functional requirements and enrich the overall user experience within the square.

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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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