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Reflective Pool Surrounded by Sustainable Materials in a Revitalized Urban Hub

Author:
Roderick Dominic Cloud
Reflective Pool Surrounded by Sustainable Materials in a Revitalized Urban Hub

Project in-detail

A central reflective pool enhances the circular layout, while historical monuments and sustainable materials create a cohesive public space for community engagement and cultural events.
5 key facts about this project
01
A circular layout promotes smooth pedestrian flow throughout the space.
02
Historical monuments are interspersed to enhance cultural storytelling.
03
Sustainable plant materials are integrated into landscaping for biodiversity.
04
The reflective pool serves as a focal point for contemplation and gatherings.
05
Innovative use of glass accents fosters transparency in civic areas.

### Overview
The Kharkiv Freedom Square revitalization project seeks to enhance a significant urban area in Kharkiv, Ukraine, focusing on themes of civic pride, historical remembrance, and community engagement. Intent on creating a dynamic public space, the design promotes integration with the site's historical context while facilitating contemporary communal activities.

### Spatial Configuration
The layout features a circular design that integrates pedestrian pathways, green spaces, and memorial elements. Central to the square is a fountain and reflective pool that serves both aesthetic and contemplative purposes. Surrounding this focal point, various historical monuments honor significant events and figures in the city’s heritage, thoughtfully positioned throughout the space. Versatile public areas accommodate gatherings, performances, and cultural events, promoting community interaction. Additionally, modern civic buildings are designed to respect historical elements while enhancing transparency through glass facades.

### Material Selection
The choice of materials emphasizes durability and modern aesthetics while resonating with the historical character of Kharkiv. Concrete provides structural strength, while glass elements are employed to create inviting and transparent civic spaces. Steel is utilized in the construction of monuments to symbolize resilience and progress, with natural stone applied in paving to connect to the area's heritage. Sustainable plant materials enhance landscape design, contributing to biodiversity and the visual appeal of the square.

This comprehensive approach to design is anticipated to yield outcomes that foster community engagement, cultural preservation, environmental sustainability, and economic growth in Kharkiv.

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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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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