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Light-Filled Reading Space Crafted with Wood and Tensile Fabric

Authors:
Christianna Bennett, Tricia Huang, Jonah Fields
Light-Filled Reading Space Crafted with Wood and Tensile Fabric
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Constructed with a wooden framework and shaded by tensile fabric, this light-filled reading space offers a unique environment where community members can engage with literature while enjoying both privacy and connection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Light diffuses through curtains, creating an ethereal atmosphere inside the reading space.
02
LED light cubes serve as both furniture and illumination, enhancing functionality.
03
The grid framework allows for intimate voids that promote privacy within a communal setting.
04
Tensile fabric provides shelter while maintaining a connection to the outdoors.
05
The design encourages interaction and solitude, seamlessly blending both experiences.

The Lightbox project presents a reading space designed to foster community engagement and individual reflection. Located in an accessible area, it encourages users to immerse themselves in literature. The design aims to create a unique environment where the usual boundaries between inside and outside are softened, allowing people to connect with their surroundings as they read.

Structure and Layout

The design features a grid-based framework, which provides a clear structural organization while allowing open flow between different areas. This layout is meant to create intimate pockets within a larger communal space. Users can find solitude or engage with others, balancing personal quiet time with opportunities for social interaction.

Lighting Design

Lighting is central to the experience within the reading room. The framework is open at the top, facilitating the entry of natural light, while curtains help diffuse it. This combination creates a soft, pleasant atmosphere throughout the space. At night, LED light cubes illuminate the interior, offering warm light that enhances the reading experience and draws visitors towards the structure.

Materiality and Aesthetic

The materials used in the design primarily include a wooden framework. This choice not only provides structural support but also adds warmth to the environment. Tensile fabric is employed to offer privacy and shelter from the elements. White curtain fabric allows light penetration, contributing to the overall gentle ambiance. The integration of LED light cubes along with a concrete base highlights functionality while maintaining coherence in the design’s appearance.

The design culminates in the welcoming glow of the LED light cubes, which establish individual reading areas bathed in warm light. This careful consideration of detail creates an inviting atmosphere that encourages users to engage with literature in a contemplative and comfortable setting.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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