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Natural Wood Slats and Glass Façade Create a Flexible Community Hub

Authors:
Inga Kruliene, shahab Heidari Faroughi, Keith Lindberg, Matthew Hart
Natural Wood Slats and Glass Façade Create a Flexible Community Hub

Project in-detail

Crafted with an intricate façade of wooden slats and expansive glass, this venue serves as a flexible community hub, fostering interaction and collaboration through its thoughtfully designed spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted with a façade of wooden slats that emulate local forest patterns.
02
Utilizes cross-laminated timber for enhanced structural efficiency and sustainability.
03
Incorporates rooftop gardens to promote biodiversity and environmental integration.
04
Features acoustic design elements to enhance sound quality in flexible spaces.
05
Adapts various configurations for diverse events, fostering community interaction.

### Overview

Located in Riga, Latvia, the Riga Exhibition and Convention Center (RECC) addresses the growing demand for hospitality services near the city's cultural and historical landmarks. The design aims to create an environment where visitors can engage with both the vibrancy of Riga and various events taking place within the facility. Integrating urban and natural elements, the project draws inspiration from the Baltic forests, thereby establishing a visual and conceptual link between the city and its landscape.

### Spatial Configuration

The planning of the RECC strategically organizes spaces to serve diverse functions, facilitating easy interaction among users. The entry plaza acts as a welcoming hub, enhancing social engagement. A prominent reception area ensures smooth visitor flow, while varying-sized conference halls and a lecture hall provide adaptable environments for educational and professional gatherings. Additionally, shared office spaces, along with a café and restaurant, support collaborative efforts among different organizations. An elevated walkway enhances accessibility by connecting the center to existing pavilions, promoting movement throughout the site.

### Material Selection and Sustainability

The material palette of the RECC reflects a blend of modern technology and traditional craftsmanship. Wood slats on the façade, echoing the verticality of Baltic forests, provide both aesthetic appeal and functional benefits in terms of shade and acoustics. Concrete serves as a robust structural element, while glass creates transparency, linking indoor spaces to the surrounding environment. Metal elements reinforce the contemporary design aesthetic. The integration of green spaces, including rooftop gardens and landscaped plazas, not only enhances visual interest but also supports sustainability initiatives within the urban context. This harmonious selection of materials emphasizes both the building’s functionality and its connection to the community.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge invites architects and designers to create iconic public sculptures for one of two sites in Saudi Arabia: Abu Hadriyah Road or the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar. Proposals should reflect Saudi identity, culture, and future aspirations.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge is an international architecture and design competition inviting creatives to shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s public spaces. With a total prize fund of €50,000, the competition calls for sculptural proposals that merge cultural symbolism with innovative design, offering participants a chance to see their concepts brought to life in a rapidly transforming national context.

Organised by Buildner in partnership with the Mujassam Watan Initiative, the challenge focuses on two prominent locations: Abu Hadriyah Road, a major highway and gateway into the Eastern Province, and the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar, a pedestrian-focused waterfront district. Designers must select one site and develop a sculpture that engages with its surroundings—whether addressing the fast-paced dynamism of a transit corridor or creating moments of interaction along a coastal promenade.

Proposals should be bold, site-specific, and rooted in narrative—drawing on themes such as heritage, national identity, transformation, and dialogue. Environmental responsiveness, material durability, and feasibility are strongly encouraged, as winning projects may be selected for actual construction.

Each submission must include four A2 landscape presentation boards, a cover image, and a written project description. The competition is open to professionals and students alike, working individually or in teams of up to four people. No professional license is required.

Registration is open until July 24, 2025, with final submissions due by August 27, 2025. Winners will be announced on October 1, 2025.

Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge

Design iconic urban sculptures for the prestigious Mujassam Watan competition and compete for 50,000 €

50,000 € PRIZE project COMPETITION
Prize 50,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 24 July 2025

Enter an open architecture
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