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Empowering Spaces Through Lightplay and Symbolic Panels

Authors:
Patxi Jauregui, Mónica Muñoz, Ana Elizalde
Empowering Spaces Through Lightplay and Symbolic Panels

Project in-detail

With an emphasis on lightplay and symbolic panels, the design creates an engaging environment that fosters empowerment and reflection, serving as a cultural center dedicated to exploring identity and agency.
5 key facts about this project
01
Symbolic panels convey themes of empowerment and identity.
02
The design emphasizes interaction with natural light throughout the space.
03
An imprint on the ground recalls historical struggles for equality.
04
The arrangement of panels encourages active visitor engagement.
05
Phrases embedded within the panels stimulate personal reflection.

The architectural design at SESC in São Paulo explores themes of empowerment and identity within its framework. Located in a vibrant cultural center, the design engages users in a conversation about self-definition and agency. The project highlights the relationship between light and space, aiming to create an environment that invites reflection and participation.

Symbolic Interaction

Panels define the spatial experience and guide users through the interior. These panels are not just functional; they tell a story about women's empowerment. As visitors move through the space, the arrangement of the panels encourages them to actively engage with the concepts presented.

Engagement with Light

Light plays a key role in the experience of the design. The choice of materials likely reflects and refracts light, enhancing the visitor's interaction with the space. This focus on illumination shapes how people perceive their surroundings and influences their feelings as they navigate the area. The changing shadows and highlights create a sense of depth, inviting users to explore further.

Historical Resonance

The design carries a connection to history, represented by the imprint left behind on the ground. This element serves as a reminder of past struggles for equality and adds meaning to the experience. Each detail is carefully chosen to evoke memories, anchoring the project in a broader dialogue about identity and empowerment.

A distinctive feature is the phrases embedded within the panels. Statements like "ignite the halo on fire" urge visitors to consider their own empowerment. This mix of physical and conceptual elements ensures that the space not only represents a structure but also serves as a catalyst for reflection and dialogue.

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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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