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Hexagonal Pavilion Featuring Living Walls and Polycarbonate Facade in Urban Setting

Authors:
Eloïse Rudolph, Estelle Brandon, Grégoire Hubert
Hexagonal Pavilion Featuring Living Walls and Polycarbonate Facade in Urban Setting

Project in-detail

The innovative hexagonal structure with polycarbonate panels and living walls seamlessly integrates into its urban environment, providing a flexible community space for social gatherings and coffee enjoyment.
5 key facts about this project
01
The pavilion features a modular hexagonal design that allows for versatile reconfiguration according to community needs.
02
Living walls integrated into the structure promote biodiversity and enhance environmental sustainability in an urban context.
03
The use of polycarbonate panels provides ample natural light while ensuring energy efficiency and a contemporary aesthetic.
04
Rainwater drainage is thoughtfully incorporated into the design, contributing to sustainable water management practices.
05
The project is designed to facilitate social interaction, making it a dedicated community hub for gatherings and events.
The Lantern is a thoughtfully designed architectural project located in the heart of Copenhagen, Denmark, serving as a coffee house that aims to enrich the urban experience. It represents a fusion of function and community engagement, responding to contemporary urban living through its innovative approach to space and design. The project is conceived as a modular hexagonal structure, allowing it to adapt seamlessly to various urban contexts while facilitating social interaction among its users.

The primary function of The Lantern is to provide a gathering space for the community, acting as a hub where individuals can enjoy coffee and shared experiences. This architectural design emphasizes flexibility, with the ability to transform from an open configuration to a more intimate closed setting. In its open state, the structure encourages a fluid flow of people, inviting movement and interaction, while the closed configuration offers a cozy retreat suitable for quieter moments or adverse weather conditions. The adaptable nature of the design ensures that it meets the diverse needs of its patrons throughout different seasons and social scenarios.

The design incorporates a range of materials that enhance not only the aesthetic quality of the structure but also its functional performance. The use of polycarbonate panels creates a lightweight yet durable facade that allows natural light to penetrate the interior, establishing a warm and welcoming ambiance. The aluminum frame provides essential structural integrity, ensuring the modular components can be easily assembled and disassembled as needed. On the interior, the application of pine wood adds a natural warmth that contrasts beautifully with the sleekness of the metal and plastic materials, fostering a comfortable environment for coffee drinkers.

Unique to The Lantern is its emphasis on integration with the surrounding urban landscape. The living walls serve not just as a design element, but also as a functional aspect of the space. These walls are intended to support plant life, contributing to the environmental sustainability of the project. This integration not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also promotes biodiversity by introducing greenery into the urban setting. The approach reflects a growing awareness within architecture about the importance of ecological considerations in design, turning a simple coffee house into a small-scale environmental initiative.

Moreover, The Lantern champions an innovative take on public engagement. Its modular design allows it to be relocated and reconfigured, thus encouraging diverse uses across different contexts. This adaptability allows The Lantern to respond to specific site conditions and community needs, reinforcing its role as a versatile social space that can evolve alongside the urban environment.

The beauty of The Lantern lies in its straightforward but effective architectural ideas. The emphasis on light, air, and communal interaction creates an inviting atmosphere without being ostentatious. It strikes a balance between functionality and aesthetic appeal, aiming to inspire a sense of belonging among its visitors.

As this project illustrates the principles of modern architecture through its thoughtful design and community focus, readers are encouraged to explore the architectural plans, architectural sections, and architectural designs of The Lantern for further insights. The unique design approaches taken here serve as valuable lessons in blending functionality with environmental responsibility, making it a noteworthy example within contemporary architectural discourse. Discover the various elements at play within The Lantern to understand how this project redefines a simple coffee house into a meaningful community space.
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100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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