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Oversized Sound Sculptures Crafted from Recycled Wood and Acoustic Foam in a Community Performance Space

Authors:
Robbie Mcdonnell, Frederick John M Davies
Oversized Sound Sculptures Crafted from Recycled Wood and Acoustic Foam in a Community Performance Space

Project in-detail

Oversized musical sculptures made from recycled wood and acoustic foam transform a forest landscape into a community performance space that invites public interaction and engagement with sound.
5 key facts about this project
01
Oversized musical sculptures designed as interactive instruments engage visitors in sound creation.
02
Acoustic foam is integrated into the stage design to enhance sound quality for performances.
03
The project incorporates recycled wood, promoting sustainability and environmental awareness.
04
A flexible triangular layout allows for multiple performance configurations and audience interactions.
05
The bar facade mimics a glockenspiel, adding a playful element to the architectural experience.

### Overview
The Forest Orchestra project is situated within a wooded landscape, aiming to merge music and performance with nature. The design features oversized sculptures resembling musical instruments, strategically placed to enhance the interaction between art and the natural environment. The intent is to foster community engagement through accessible spaces that support both individual exploration and collaborative performances.

### Spatial Configuration
The layout of the project is centered around a triangular arrangement of stages that encourages audience movement and interaction with multiple performances. With a capacity of 600 attendees, the 350-square-meter area offers flexible seating configurations to accommodate different performance styles and social dynamics. Adjacent to the main performance areas, a bar constructed with a glockenspiel-inspired metallic façade serves to enhance foot traffic during events while contributing to the overall auditory experience.

### Materiality and Sustainability
A careful selection of materials underscores the project’s commitment to sustainability and acoustic performance. Recycled wood plank cladding contributes to ecological responsibility, while acoustic foam is employed to optimize sound quality on stage. Recycled PVC pipes play a vital role in the innovative sound generation mechanisms integrated into the design. The use of painted decking bolsters visual and acoustic qualities, resulting in a harmonious blend of form and function that respects both environmental considerations and the artistic intent of the space.

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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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