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Metal and Wood Reading Room Integrating Natural Light in Ankara Parks

Authors:
Zeynep Akdemir, Pelin Alemdar
Metal and Wood Reading Room Integrating Natural Light in Ankara Parks

Project in-detail

Situated along Ankara Boulevard, a reading room constructed from metal and wood elements enhances community interaction while providing a tranquil space for literature within the city’s green parks.
5 key facts about this project
01
Reading room design integrates adaptable surfaces to enhance user interaction.
02
Located in public parks, it encourages community engagement with literature.
03
Metal and wood materials were selected for durability and warmth.
04
Natural light is optimized through strategic placement of openings.
05
Flexible configurations support individual and group reading activities.

The reading room offers a fresh perspective on how spaces for reading can be reimagined. Located in Ankara, Turkey, the room is positioned within parks along Ankara Boulevard, which are popular gathering places for locals. It functions not just as a place to read, but as a versatile area for various activities centered around literature. The overall design emphasizes the idea that reading can take place anytime and anywhere, inviting users to explore their relationship with books outside of conventional settings like libraries.

Conceptual Framework

Surfaces that define a room are treated differently in this design. Instead of merely acting as walls or boundaries, these surfaces are transformed into dynamic elements that enhance the experience. The design allows for these surfaces to shift in shape and position, creating a space that encourages interaction. This adaptability caters to both individual readers and groups, promoting a sense of community where various reading activities can take place.

Site Context

Ankara's parks serve as the backdrop for this reading room, providing a much-needed green space in an urban setting. The parks are frequented by residents looking for a place to relax and connect with others. By situating the reading room in this vibrant environment, the design emphasizes accessibility and comfort, allowing people to engage with literature while enjoying nature. It aims to blend with the surrounding landscape, making it a space where users can feel at ease and inspired.

Material Composition

A careful selection of materials contributes to the overall functionality and appearance of the reading room. The structure is primarily made from metal, including main supports and various structural members that ensure stability and durability. Wooden features, such as bookcases and panels, add warmth and a tactile element to the design. This combination of metal and wood creates an inviting atmosphere that encourages people to linger and immerse themselves in reading.

Design Expression

The technical drawings and elevations provide insights into how the space is organized and how light enters the reading room. Each elevation reveals how the design interacts with daylight, enhancing the reading experience. Sectional views illustrate how users will navigate the space, highlighting thoughtful details that improve usability. Design choices focus on fostering interaction, making the reading room a distinct feature within the urban environment and reinforcing the importance of community spaces dedicated to literature.

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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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