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Fluid Forms of Steel and Glass Enveloping a Coastal Community Hub

Authors:
Ting-sen Hsieh, Chia-yu Wei
Fluid Forms of Steel and Glass Enveloping a Coastal Community Hub

Project in-detail

Wave-inspired volumes of steel and glass create a dynamic coastal hub that fosters community engagement through versatile public spaces and wellness facilities.
5 key facts about this project
01
Wave-inspired architectural form integrates seamlessly with the coastal landscape.
02
Extensive use of glass façades enhances natural light and visual connectivity.
03
Innovative truss system allows for expansive interior spaces without obstructive columns.
04
Public plaza serves as a multifunctional space for community gatherings and events.
05
Sustainable materials carefully selected for resilience against coastal conditions.

## Project Overview
Located on an urban waterfront, the "Sea Waves" development integrates architectural design with the natural movements of ocean waves. The intent is to establish a connection between built structures and the surrounding environment, reflecting the fluidity and rhythm of water through form and function. The design emphasizes a harmonious relationship with its coastal context, contributing to both aesthetic and functional objectives.

### Spatial Organization
The volumetric strategy employed in the project features segmented forms that echo the periodicity of wave patterns, enhancing both structural efficiency and spatial diversity. By dividing the primary structure at intervals of six meters, the design creates a rhythmic aesthetic while optimizing the distribution of forces. This segmentation allows for a diverse range of internal functional spaces, including cafés, healthcare facilities, and multipurpose rooms, which are strategically located to foster social interaction and community engagement. The internal pathways separate public circulation from main traffic areas, facilitating intuitive wayfinding and maximizing the usability of communal spaces.

### Material Selection
The choice of materials is integral to both the project's functionality and its visual appeal. Structural steel provides durability and flexibility, enabling wide spans and resilient support over water. Expansive glass façades enhance natural lighting and visual connections to the external environment, creating inviting interior atmospheres. Concrete forms the foundational elements, ensuring stability under various environmental conditions, while wooden finishes add warmth and a tactile quality to the interiors. This deliberate material interplay not only reflects the coastal location but also adheres to contemporary architectural language, emphasizing both innovation and sustainability.

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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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