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A Forest Pavilion with a Mirrored Inflatable Canopy

Author:
Jordan Paul Scheuermann
A Forest Pavilion with a Mirrored Inflatable Canopy

Project in-detail

Set within a forested site in Aknīste, Latvia, the temporary installation was conceived for a multidisciplinary sound festival focused on open-air performance and environmental awareness. The design supports informal interaction between performers, audience, and landscape through adaptable spatial elements and responsive materials.
5 key facts about this project
01
Reflective materials enhance the integration of the structure with the surrounding environment.
02
The inflatable canopy adjusts to environmental conditions, creating variable acoustic experiences.
03
Translucent surfaces allow natural light to filter through, blending indoor and outdoor spaces.
04
Modular components facilitate reconfiguration for a variety of performance types.
05
The design emphasizes sustainability by utilizing re-usable materials throughout the structure.

Located within a birch forest in Aknīste, Latvia, [re] FRAME Sound Sculpture was developed for the Sansusi Sound Festival as a temporary installation that supports diverse performance formats in an open-air setting. The structure responds to the festival’s emphasis on spontaneity and environmental connection by offering a flexible, interactive platform that invites movement, listening, and informal gathering. Its spatial and acoustic qualities are shaped by both the surrounding landscape and the dynamics of live performance.

Material strategy and spatial flexibility
The structure is built using dimensional lumber for its primary frame, anchored by ready-mix concrete footings to ensure stability on site. Translucent polycarbonate sheathing offers weather resistance while maintaining a sense of visual lightness. A mirrored inflatable canopy reflects the forest canopy and responds to wind, introducing ephemeral movement and ambient sound. The system is supported by mesh netting and pulley mechanisms, allowing for weather-responsive adjustment and facilitating reuse.

Landscape integration and acoustic atmosphere
Slender vertical components echo the rhythm of surrounding birch trees, creating a visual continuity between built and natural forms. Adjustable stage flats operate as walls, seating, or performance surfaces, enabling reconfiguration for various events. The interplay between the canopy and the environment contributes to a layered sensory experience, reinforcing the spatial relationship between performance, audience, and forest context.

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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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