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Perforated Metal Cladding and Glass Canopy Enhance Social Interaction in Compact Urban Kiosk

Authors:
Alexandra Berdan, Ancuta Costandache
Perforated Metal Cladding and Glass Canopy Enhance Social Interaction in Compact Urban Kiosk

Project in-detail

The unique combination of perforated metal cladding and a transparent glass canopy creates an engaging focal point in the urban landscape, facilitating social interaction within a compact kiosk designed for serving coffee.
5 key facts about this project
01
The kiosk's hexagonal shape promotes accessibility from multiple angles.
02
Perforated metal sheets provide aesthetic appeal while allowing natural light penetration.
03
The kiosk is designed to be demountable for flexible urban applications.
04
Insulated wooden panels enhance thermal performance and acoustic comfort.
05
A dedicated branding area integrates commercial visibility within the design.

## Overview and Context

The Corner Kiosk is a coffee service structure situated in urban environments, designed to function as a social hub that facilitates community interaction. It is positioned at prominent corners, maximizing visibility and accessibility to encourage spontaneous social gatherings and daily routines, particularly around coffee consumption. The design embodies the concept of the corner as a vital space in city life, attracting individuals and enhancing community engagement.

## Architectural Framework and Materiality

### Structural Design

The kiosk employs a hexagonal modular framework, optimizing space utilization while ensuring a substantial presence. Its form promotes 360-degree accessibility, catering to diverse user flows and interactions. This adaptability allows the kiosk to integrate into various urban settings, enhancing its functionality across different environments.

### Material Composition

The primary structural component consists of a robust yet lightweight metal framework made from 40x40/3mm square pipes. Insulated wooden panels are incorporated into the design to provide thermal comfort and acoustic dampening, contributing to a pleasant atmosphere in a busy urban context. Perforated metal sheets envelop the upper section of the kiosk, allowing filtered light to penetrate while creating an engaging façade. A glass roof further promotes natural light and visual connectivity with the surroundings, enhancing the overall spatial experience.

### Functional Design Elements

Key features include an efficient gutter system integrated into the design for effective water management, ensuring both functionality and aesthetic continuity. A designated branding area harmonizes commercial aspects with the design narrative. Notably, the kiosk is designed to be mobile and demountable, supporting temporary installations for events such as pop-up cafes or street fairs, thereby offering versatility in urban utilization.

## Social Impact and Urban Integration

The Corner Kiosk serves not only as a coffee vendor but also as a facilitator of community identity and interaction in urban landscapes. Its distinct angles invite engagement from passersby, fostering a sense of place and promoting local commerce. By integrating into the urban fabric, the kiosk enhances foot traffic and communal spirit, acting as a catalyst for everyday social interactions in the city.

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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
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