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Repurposed Rubble and Steel Beams Transforming Public Space Into a Sustainable Community Hub

Authors:
Diego Andrés Alday Alba, Gonzalo Andrés Ugarte Smith, Magdalena Abril Bertholet Arias, Agustín Pimentel Beltran
Repurposed Rubble and Steel Beams Transforming Public Space Into a Sustainable Community Hub

Project in-detail

Repurposed steel beams and recycled rubble form an engaging urban landscape that fosters community interaction and cultural events in the heart of Kharkiv.
5 key facts about this project
01
Repurposed steel beams from demolished buildings create structural supports while preserving historical elements.
02
Topographic mounds made from recycled rubble serve both ecological and memorial functions.
03
Dynamic glass façades integrate LED displays for year-round cultural engagement.
04
Extensive green infrastructure enhances biodiversity and promotes urban ecology.
05
Flexible spaces accommodate a variety of seasonal community events and gatherings.

### Overview
The architectural design for Freedom Square in Kharkiv, Ukraine, emphasizes urban resilience while respecting the site's historical significance. Located in the center of the city, the project integrates functional spaces with innovative materials and landscaping, aiming to enhance urban experiences and foster community engagement.

### Spatial Configuration
The design introduces a series of interconnected zones, characterized by topographic mounds constructed from recycled rubble, which commemorate the area's historical context while promoting biodiversity. Repurposed iron beams from demolished structures support multipurpose areas for public gatherings and events, ensuring structural integrity and contextual relevance. Additionally, semi-permanent public art installations cater to various cultural events, creating dynamic interactions throughout the square.

### Materiality and Sustainability
Sustainability is a core principle of the design, as evidenced by the use of recycled materials, including rubble that memorializes past structures and steel repurposed from previous buildings. The project incorporates green infrastructure, with strategic vegetation placements that enhance both aesthetic appeal and urban ecological functionality. Advanced materials such as glass and LED facades are employed for the regional administration building, facilitating dynamic visual communication with the public while ensuring durability and modernity.

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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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