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Floating Structure of Transparent Glass and Sustainable Concrete Celebrating Textile Heritage

Authors:
MANUEL ALEJANDRO DE LA O LACUNZA, MIGUEL FRANCISCO GÓMEZ BRITO, ALEJANDRO GUTIÉRREZ HERNÁNDEZ, BERENICE PELÁEZ SUERO
Floating Structure of Transparent Glass and Sustainable Concrete Celebrating Textile Heritage

Project in-detail

A floating structure, crafted from transparent glass and robust concrete, integrates educational facilities with a rich textile heritage to create a dynamic hub for fashion and cultural exchange.
5 key facts about this project
01
A floating design integrates educational and exhibition spaces above Lumphini Park's water landscape.
02
Sustainable materials like concrete and glass provide a visual dialogue with the natural environment.
03
Biomimicry influences the building’s shape, reflecting the silk moth’s cocoon.
04
The connection bridge features organic forms, enhancing pedestrian flow between the two buildings.
05
Educational facilities are designed to foster collaboration among students, professionals, and the public.

## Project Overview

Located in Bangkok, Thailand, the Bombyx Mori Fashion Hub aims to establish a significant center for fashion and culture, reflecting the city's rich textile heritage, particularly its association with the silk industry. The design seeks to create a contemporary space that serves both educational and creative purposes, promoting the ongoing evolution of fashion while enhancing the local cultural landscape. The project strategically interfaces with its surroundings by drawing inspiration from the lifecycle of the silk moth, symbolizing transformation and innovation.

## Location and Context

The hub is positioned adjacent to Lumphini Park, a major green area in Bangkok that enhances the project's connection to both urban and natural settings. This prime location fosters an interactive environment, allowing visitors to transition easily between the bustling city and the tranquility of the park. The design integrates these diverse contexts, emphasizing a harmonious relationship with nature and urban vitality.

## Architectural and Material Design

### Building Components

The Bombyx Mori project consists of two primary structures: the Fashion Building and the Lumphini Park Building. The Fashion Building rises 25 stories, designed to function as a comprehensive center for fashion-related activities. It includes classrooms, ateliers, exhibition spaces, and a fashion museum, facilitating diverse educational and cultural experiences. The Lumphini Park Building, designed with a floating concept, features a fashion museum and an auditorium. This innovative approach enables the structure to rest above water, preserving the park's ecosystem while providing critical educational resources.

### Materiality and Sustainability

The design employs a selection of materials that supports its conceptual objectives. Concrete serves as the primary structural element for the floating building, offering stability and durability. Extensive glass facades in the Fashion Building promote natural light, creating an inviting atmosphere while delivering unobstructed views of the landscape. Steel is utilized in the bridge and structural support elements, contributing to structural integrity and design flexibility. Furthermore, landscaping within and around the buildings integrates natural elements, reinforcing the project's commitment to sustainability and enhancing the ecological value of the site.

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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

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