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Natural Light and White Glass in a Community-Focused Educational Renovation

Author:
Jing Wong
Natural Light and White Glass in a Community-Focused Educational Renovation
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The use of white glass and a preserved historical facade enhances natural light flow throughout the renovated community-focused school, promoting connectivity and engagement within its educational spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Preservation of the east staircase maintains historical character.
02
Integration of white glass enhances natural light throughout the building.
03
Artist workshop connects directly to the exhibition hall, fostering collaboration.
04
Community spaces are strategically located to maximize interaction and engagement.
05
Use of Low-E glass contributes to energy efficiency and thermal comfort.

The renovation of Omuli Primary School is an effort to revitalize an existing historical building while adapting it for modern educational purposes. Located in an area rich with context, the project aims to maintain the character of the original structure while introducing new features that enhance functionality. The design concept focuses on preservation and improvement, ensuring the school serves its community effectively.

Preservation of Historical Elements
The renovation carefully retains the original building's key features, including the exterior facade, east staircase, and indoor chimneys. This focus on preservation connects the past with the present, allowing the school to keep its historical significance while adapting to new needs. By maintaining these elements, the project honors the architectural heritage of the region.

Modern Spatial Configuration
The layout enhances connectivity and interaction within the school. The design incorporates the concept of "slices," which improves lighting and ventilation throughout the interior. Public spaces are placed primarily in the southern part of the building to maximize natural light. This thoughtful arrangement creates a welcoming environment that establishes a strong link between the interior and the surrounding landscape.

Material Selection
Specific materials have been chosen to optimize the building's performance. The renovation includes 6 mm white glass spacers and Low-E glass, which work together to control heat and light levels. Additionally, the integration of 9 mm argon gas within the glazing system helps improve insulation. These material choices support energy efficiency and the overall sustainability of the school environment.

Artistic Integration and Community Engagement
The design encourages community interaction through various interconnected spaces, including the artist workshop and Omuli Museum. These areas foster collaboration and creativity, making the building a hub for artistic expression. Architectural sections highlight how these spaces interact, enhancing movement throughout the different levels of the school.

The interplay of light within the renovated spaces creates a dynamic atmosphere that encourages users to engage with both the historical and new aspects of the design.

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100,000€ Prize / 2025
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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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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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