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Glacier-Inspired Design with White Concrete and Interactive Spaces in a Historic Commemoration

Authors:
Jakub Markiel, Paulina Borysik
Glacier-Inspired Design with White Concrete and Interactive Spaces in a Historic Commemoration

Project in-detail

A glacier-inspired façade constructed in white concrete intertwines interactive spaces that engage visitors in reflecting on the historic Baltic Way, serving as a contemporary memorial to unity and resilience.
5 key facts about this project
01
Glacier-inspired façade reflects the harsh realities and emergence of freedom.
02
Extensive use of white concrete creates a sense of purity and openness.
03
Interactive spaces facilitate visitor engagement and reflection on history.
04
Angular forms symbolize resilience and movement, contrasting with softer design elements.
05
Integrated green spaces enhance environmental connection and community involvement.

## Overview
Located in Riga, Latvia, the Baltic Way Memorial commemorates the historic Baltic Way protest of August 23, 1989, during which approximately two million people from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania formed a human chain extending over 600 kilometers to advocate for independence from Soviet control. The design captures themes of hope, unity, and freedom, reflecting the profound significance of this collective event.

## Spatial Organization
The memorial features a layout composed of a variety of interconnected spaces, emphasizing flexibility and community engagement. The key components include an exhibition area dedicated to showcasing artifacts and narratives from the Baltic Way, a café and souvenir shop that provide a space for reflection and interaction among visitors, and integrated green areas that enhance the overall experience by symbolizing regeneration and renewal. Each aspect of the design encourages visitors to engage with both the historical context and their present surroundings.

## Materiality
Material selection is essential in conveying the project’s thematic depth and emotional resonance. Extensive use of white concrete symbolizes purity and hope, fostering an atmosphere of openness and clarity throughout the structure. Large glass elements create transparency and facilitate a connection with the exterior, allowing natural light to illuminate the interior. Steel, utilized for its structural integrity, shapes the angular forms of the design and signifies resilience. This combination of materials produces a tactile experience that invites exploration and reflection, bridging the indoors and outdoors while reinforcing the memorial’s narrative.

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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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