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Natural Light-Filled Spaces Enhanced by Translucent Polycarbonate and Reinforced Concrete for a Multi-Functional Venue

Authors:
Rodrigo Zagarzazú, Carolina Güida
Natural Light-Filled Spaces Enhanced by Translucent Polycarbonate and Reinforced Concrete for a Multi-Functional Venue

Project in-detail

The use of translucent polycarbonate and reinforced concrete creates a series of interconnected spaces that maximize natural light and foster community engagement, serving as a versatile venue for exhibitions and events.
5 key facts about this project
01
Translucent polycarbonate panels enhance natural light while maintaining privacy.
02
Reinforced concrete structure provides durability and an industrial aesthetic.
03
Flexible spaces allow for diverse configurations to meet varying event needs.
04
Vertical connectivity through architectural voids fosters user interaction.
05
Community-focused design promotes engagement through open public areas.

## Project Overview

The expansion of the Riga Expo Center in Latvia aims to enhance its role as a central venue for exhibitions, conferences, and a range of events. By integrating a modern design with the existing infrastructure, the expansion promotes visitor interaction and engagement through a carefully considered spatial organization.

### Spatial Organization

The design features a dynamic arrangement that prioritizes a variety of public and flexible spaces. A central public area serves as the focal point of the complex, enabling social interactions and accommodating diverse activities from informal gatherings to formal exhibitions. Adjacent auditoriums are equipped to support various functions, providing optimal acoustics and visibility for lectures and performances. Additionally, several adaptable spaces are integrated into the plan, allowing for the hosting of workshops, meetings, and other events through the use of movable partitions. The incorporation of vertical voids facilitates natural light penetration and fosters connectivity among different levels, contributing to an enhanced user experience.

### Materiality and Construction Techniques

The selection of materials is fundamental to expressing the architectural vision of the expansion. Reinforced concrete forms the structural backbone, ensuring durability while providing an industrial aesthetic. Polycarbonate panels define the facade, allowing natural light to permeate the interior while maintaining privacy, highlighting the commitment to transparency within the design. Extensive glass surfaces further enhance visibility, creating a strong connection between indoor and outdoor environments, while aluminum cladding contributes a contemporary appearance and lightweight durability. Modern construction techniques, including prefabrication, enable efficient building processes and align with sustainability principles, thereby supporting the project's environmental considerations.

The design effectively balances functionality and aesthetic considerations, reinforcing the Riga Expo Center's relevance in the urban context.

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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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