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Perforated Metal Panels and Native Flora Defining a Commemorative Space for Historical Unity

Authors:
JEE EE KHOR, KEN KEAT LIOW, CHIN YEE SAM, WEI KEAT POH
Perforated Metal Panels and Native Flora Defining a Commemorative Space for Historical Unity

Project in-detail

Utilizing perforated metal panels and native flora, the memorial creates an immersive pathway that commemorates the historical unity of the Baltic States while offering a reflective space for visitors.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes a central "Red Band" of perforated metal to guide visitors through the site.
02
Incorporates uneven topography to symbolize historical obstacles faced during the independence movement.
03
Engages visitors with interactive elements that promote reflection and community dialogue.
04
Employs native planting to enhance biodiversity and ecological significance.
05
Features carefully designed pathways that connect distinct experiential zones representing different themes.

**Overview**

"Walk to the Memorial: Baltic Way" is situated in the Baltic States, specifically designed to commemorate the historical unity of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Drawing inspiration from the peaceful human chain formed by nearly two million people on August 23, 1989, the memorial reflects themes of peace, nonviolence, and solidarity. The project incorporates an experiential pathway, offering visitors a physical and emotional engagement with a pivotal moment in the region's history.

**Narrative Pathways**

The design is organized around three distinct pathways: the Path of Obstacle, the Path of Hope, and the Path of Seduction. Each pathway guides visitors through a narrative experience that deepens their connection to the memorial.

- **Path of Obstacle**: This route utilizes the site's existing topography to convey the historical challenges encountered during the struggle for independence, allowing visitors to engage with a more rugged terrain that reflects past adversities.

- **Path of Hope**: This section fosters a sense of optimism through open landscapes and interactive areas, encouraging visitors to envision a hopeful future.

- **Path of Seduction**: Characterized by peaceful aesthetics, this pathway employs inviting spaces to foster emotional connections, thereby enhancing visitor engagement with the memorial.

**Materiality and Spatial Dynamics**

The architectural design integrates simple geometric forms and vibrant materials to enhance sensory experiences. Key elements include:

- **Perforated Metal Panels**: These panels, distinctive to the "Red Band," create dynamic visual patterns that change as visitors navigate through the memorial, providing texture and light interplay.

- **Paving Stones**: Durable paving stones define the pathways, facilitating ease of movement while complementing the overall aesthetic.

- **Landscape Elements**: The project incorporates native vegetation that reinforces environmental context and serves as commemoration symbols, establishing a connection to the local history.

- **Glass Facades**: Strategically positioned to maximize natural light, these elements enhance visibility and create a fluid transition between interior and exterior spaces.

The design also features a roof that adapts to the landscape, reflecting the historical fluctuations intrinsic to the Baltic struggle for freedom. Interactive installations that include media displays and public gathering spaces encourage community dialogue, transforming passive observation into active participation. The project emphasizes sustainable practices, particularly through the preservation of local flora, aligning with ecological principles while minimizing environmental impact.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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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