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Spiraling Concrete Tower Embracing Community Through Transparency and Public Gathering Spaces

Author:
Ahmet Gulgonen
Spiraling Concrete Tower Embracing Community Through Transparency and Public Gathering Spaces
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The spiraling concrete form integrates transparency and public seating to foster community engagement while commemorating a pivotal historical event.
5 key facts about this project
01
The spiraling tower design mimics the concept of a human chain, symbolizing unity.
02
Transparent glass elements promote visual and physical connections between the memorial and the city.
03
Public seating areas are integrated into the monument, enhancing community interaction.
04
Robust concrete construction ensures durability while minimizing maintenance needs.
05
The monument's height offers panoramic views, reinforcing its significance within the urban landscape.

### Project Overview

Located in Riga, Latvia, the Human Chain Memorial is designed to commemorate the Baltic Way, a peaceful demonstration symbolizing solidarity among the Baltic states. The architecture embodies the concept of a human chain, serving as a visual reminder of themes such as peace, resistance, and unity. The design incorporates a tall, spiraling tower representing human resilience and collaboration, ensuring both aesthetic impact and cultural significance.

### Materiality and Form

#### Material Selection
The memorial utilizes a diverse palette of materials, carefully chosen for their structural and symbolic properties. Concrete serves as the robust foundation, while steel forms the central spiraling structure, reflecting strength and flexibility. Glass elements are incorporated to create transparency, facilitating a connection between the interior and the urban landscape.

#### Scale and Proportions
Careful attention is given to the scale of the memorial, which aligns with human dimensions to evoke personal reflection and relatability. This proportionality enhances its capacity to host large gatherings for commemorations, encouraging community participation and engagement.

### Urban Context and Public Space

#### Integration with the Urban Landscape
The memorial's design responds to Riga’s historical architecture, aligning with existing sightlines and urban forms. The site plan incorporates open public spaces that facilitate interaction among visitors and promote civic engagement.

#### Indoor-Outdoor Connectivity
The design merges indoor and outdoor environments, allowing for a natural flow from the surrounding streets into the memorial’s spaces. Day and night lighting strategies are employed to ensure visibility and enhance the memorial's presence within the cityscape, establishing it as a focal point for reflection and public gathering.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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