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Reimagining Coastal Living with Recycled Glass and Mahogany in a Historic Urban Residence

Reimagining Coastal Living with Recycled Glass and Mahogany in a Historic Urban Residence
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Recycled ocean glass and warm mahogany frames integrate seamlessly into a revitalized historic structure, offering a modern urban residence with stunning coastal views and enhanced communal spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Recycled ocean glass is integrated into interior finishes, promoting sustainability.
02
The bent A-frame design enhances structural stability while maximizing interior space.
03
Historic poly-chromatic plaster is preserved, connecting the past with contemporary design.
04
Mahogany frames are combined with charred wooden shingles for durability and aesthetic appeal.
05
Large atrium spaces facilitate natural light flow, creating a bright and welcoming environment.

### Project Overview

The revitalization of a historic structure at the intersection of Main Street and Town Green aims to convert this civic landmark into urban residences while preserving its historical significance and enhancing its connection to the Housatonic River and the Atlantic Ocean. The design focuses on bridging the vibrant activity of Main Street with the serene ocean views, allowing for a meaningful interaction between the building and its surroundings.

### Spatial Strategy

The design incorporates a concept of transparency, facilitating physical and visual connections between indoor and outdoor spaces. Indoor environments flow fluidly, promoting mobility and creating visual corridors that link various living areas. Strategic placement of generous windows and balconies enhances the indoor experience, fostering a relationship with the external landscape. The atrium serves as a central gathering space, allowing natural light to permeate and connect users with their environment. Each room is designed with sightlines toward the ocean and Main Street, reinforcing a sense of place.

### Materiality and Sustainability

Material selection emphasizes durability, aesthetic appeal, and environmental responsibility. The preservation of original poly-chromatic plaster maintains the historic character while integrating modern finishes. Mahogany wood adds warmth in window frames and doors, reflecting high-quality craftsmanship. Recycled ocean glass is incorporated into interior finishes to align with sustainability objectives, echoing the coastal context. Concrete serves both structural and aesthetic roles, reinforcing the building's robustness while harmonizing with its environment. These materials contribute to the overall narrative and character of the building, creating an inviting atmosphere for occupants.

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Enter an open architecture
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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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