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Reimagining Cultural Narratives Through Contemplative Spire Design

Authors:
YI LOONG NG, SARAH LEE
Reimagining Cultural Narratives Through Contemplative Spire Design

Project in-detail

The reinterpretation of the church spire as a contemplative art object in Adelaide engages with cultural narratives while providing new gallery and public interaction spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Reinterprets a traditional church spire into an interactive art object.
02
Integrates gallery spaces with public areas for community engagement.
03
Utilizes a bent A-frame design to create unique spatial dynamics.
04
Focuses on storytelling through the architectural experience.
05
Positions itself in a fragmented urban context to enhance visibility.

The design located in Adelaide, known as the "City of Churches," aims to create a new understanding of church spires within the urban environment. The project seeks to reinterpret these traditional structures, which have become less relevant today, by turning them into elements of artistic expression. The goal is to highlight their historical significance while introducing fresh narratives that engage with the community and the surrounding landscape.

Cultural Reinterpretation

The approach takes the church spire, typically seen as a functional part of the skyline, and reimagines it as an object for contemplation. This change challenges people to think about what these structures represent and how they fit into modern life. It invites a renewed interest in the stories behind these buildings and the cultural identity they reflect.

Spatial Integration

The design includes spaces for galleries and public interaction, meant to blend the old with the new. These areas provide a platform for contemporary art while keeping alive the historical context of the spire. This blend fosters a lively public space, encouraging people to connect with both the art and the history surrounding them.

Urban Context

Attention is given to the urban area around Victoria Square, which is affected by traffic and neglect. By repositioning the spire as an engaging focal point, the design promotes a different approach to urban planning. It encourages a connection between the past and the present, allowing visitors to experience the city's historical narratives in a new light.

Artistic Engagement

The vision places importance on the relationship between art and architecture, opening up new possibilities for public spaces in Adelaide. The design emphasizes the “uselessness” of outdated architectural elements, aiming to spark meaningful interactions between people and their environment. The final design detail captures the interplay of light around the spire, subtly enhancing its role in the urban setting while inviting people to pause and reflect.

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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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