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Musculature Inspired Design Utilizing Concrete and Glass For a Cultural Community Hub

Authors:
Mehrzad Esmaeili, SeyyedMohammad Ahmadshahi
Musculature Inspired Design Utilizing Concrete and Glass For a Cultural Community Hub

Project in-detail

Embodying muscular forms through concrete and glass, the design creates a cultural hub that celebrates tattoo artistry while fostering community engagement and education.
5 key facts about this project
01
Musculature-inspired architectural forms emphasize the relationship between human anatomy and built space.
02
Dedicated tattoo studios within the design promote hands-on education and artistic exploration.
03
Transparent glass facades enhance natural light while connecting interior spaces to the surrounding environment.
04
Community-focused areas encourage interactions and collaborations among visitors and artists.
05
Concrete and textured panels provide a tactile quality that reflects the themes of the project.

### Project Overview
Located in Australia, the project titled "Muscular" seeks to establish a cultural landmark that reflects the significance of tattoos within the context of Australian heritage and identity. The design responds to the historical narratives woven into the nation's rich indigenous and multicultural backdrop, positioning itself as a space for exploration and discussion of personal and collective identity.

### Conceptual Framework
The design concept draws an analogy between architecture and human anatomy, utilizing anatomical references to inform the building's shapes and spatial organization. The emphasis on organic forms mimics the dynamic structures of human musculature, generating an engaging environment that invites users to connect both visually and emotionally with the space. This approach aligns the building's aesthetic with its cultural intent, fostering a dialogue around the visceral nature of tattoo art as a reflection of personal identity.

### Materiality and Architectural Composition
The material choices are integral to the project’s conceptual depth. Robust concrete structures create sculptural forms, while expansive glass openings facilitate natural light and enhance visibility between interior and exterior spaces. Steel elements provide structural support, ensuring durability without compromising on elegance. Additionally, textured panels may be employed to evoke skin-like surfaces, reinforcing the theme of bodily representation.

The architectural composition is delineated by two primary interlinked forms that embody muscular characteristics. The ground level accommodates essential functional spaces, including a parking facility, an inviting lobby, an art gallery dedicated to tattoo exhibitions, and practical classrooms for tattoo artistry. The upper level features residential quarters designed for artists and visitors, alongside a communication space that fosters interaction among users. This thoughtful organization caters to a diverse range of functions while promoting community engagement and cultural exchange.

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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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