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Lightweight Polycarbonate Facade Featuring Concealed Access in a Compact Urban Coffeehouse

Authors:
Connor Orlando, Rima Abousleiman
Lightweight Polycarbonate Facade Featuring Concealed Access in a Compact Urban Coffeehouse

Project in-detail

A compact coffeehouse with a lightweight polycarbonate facade and a concealed access door integrates seamlessly into urban spaces, prioritizing transparency and community interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Compact footprint of under 85 square feet enhances urban adaptability.
02
Service window design encourages direct community interaction.
03
Concealed door maintains a clean facade while allowing airflow.
04
Lightweight polycarbonate facade creates a glowing presence at night.
05
Oriented strand board surfaces provide a warm and tactile finish.

The Kremm Coffeehouse is a contemporary structure that focuses on fostering community interaction. Located in a varied urban environment, the coffeehouse has a compact footprint of just under 85 square feet. Its design aims to create a welcoming space for visitors while fitting into the city's existing landscape. The emphasis is on transparency and accessibility, making it easy for people to engage with the space.

Architectural Features

The design enhances the relationship between the building and its users. A large service window breaks the uniformity of the facade, allowing direct interaction between staff and customers. This window invites a sense of connection and offers a look into the inviting interior. A concealed door is also integrated into the facade, providing access and airflow while keeping the clean lines of the design intact.

Material Composition

Materials chosen for the coffeehouse contribute to its lightweight and modern appearance. The structure is supported by a white metal frame, which provides stability while enhancing its lightness. The surfaces are finished with oriented strand board, creating a warm and inviting feel that contrasts with the metal framework.

The building's exterior is wrapped in polycarbonate sheathing. This material unifies the facade and allows natural light to filter through. The semi-opaque quality creates a soft glow at night, inviting curiosity without exposing the interior.

Urban Identity

The Kremm Coffeehouse showcases a thoughtful approach to urban design. It serves as more than just a place to get coffee; it acts as a recognizable landmark within the community. The lightweight appearance and soft glow from the building highlight its role in enhancing the urban experience. Details like these show how careful design can create a space where people want to gather and connect.

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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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