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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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Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
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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

Open architecture competitions

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    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
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AIA (American Institute of Architects) invites you to design affordable housing in Denver

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Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 18 September 2025

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Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

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