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Reflective Facade and Natural Stone Integrate Urban Retail Experience

Authors:
Luis Alejandro montoya cano, Jhon Leder Salcedo Cepeda, Luisa fernanda garcia restrepo
Reflective Facade and Natural Stone Integrate Urban Retail Experience

Project in-detail

A double-skin reflective facade coupled with natural stone elements creates a vibrant urban retail environment that fosters both visibility and social interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Double-skin facade allows for enhanced natural light and visibility into retail spaces.
02
Natural stone flooring provides durability while contributing to the aesthetic appeal.
03
Interactive installations encourage user engagement and enhance the shopping experience.
04
Urban landscaping techniques integrate greenery, promoting ecological sustainability.
05
Strategic circulation design facilitates seamless movement and social interaction among visitors.

### Overview
Located in a bustling urban environment, the fashion center project is designed to create an immersive retail experience that emphasizes visibility and social interaction. Drawing inspiration from the concept of "9.5 Minutes of Fame," the center aims to engage visitors in a dynamic setting that mirrors the energy of theatrical performances. The architecture reflects a deliberate intent to enhance the synergy between the shopping experience and the surrounding context, encouraging active participation from users.

### Spatial Organization
The building comprises ten functional floors, with areas designated for retail, dining, offices, and social spaces. A well-structured circulation system facilitates unobstructed movement, featuring broad staircases and open areas that guide visitors effectively throughout the space. Unique layouts on each floor cater to specific activities, allowing for a versatile environment that enhances user experience. Communal zones and open lounges encourage social interaction, creating a welcoming atmosphere adjacent to dynamic retail areas.

### Materiality
The façade employs a double-skin system with reflective materials, which offers visibility of internal activities while interacting with the urban landscape. The choice of materials includes double-glazed glass for maximum light penetration, aluminum composite panels that introduce geometric patterns, structural concrete, and natural stone for flooring, contributing to both durability and a tactile experience. The dynamic appearance of the façade, influenced by varying viewer perspectives, enhances light dynamics within the interior spaces, emphasizing the interplay between inside and outside environments.

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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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