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Stone Cladding and Arched Design in a Community-Focused Cultural Hub

Author:
Carlos Roman Medina
Stone Cladding and Arched Design in a Community-Focused Cultural Hub

Project in-detail

Combining robust stone cladding with a series of elegantly arched structures, the cultural center provides a dynamic public space designed for community engagement and cultural activities.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes locally sourced stone for sustainable and durable cladding.
02
Incorporates extensive glass elements for natural lighting and transparency.
03
Features a central courtyard designed for community events and gatherings.
04
Adopts an adaptive reuse strategy to preserve the building’s historical integrity.
05
Includes wooden accents that enhance the warmth and aesthetic appeal of the space.

### Project Overview
**Name:** La Plaza Cultural Center
**Location:** Santa María del Río, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
**Project Type:** Cultural Center
**Architectural Approach:** Adaptive Reuse

La Plaza Cultural Center is situated in the historical Old Town of Santa María del Río, focusing on the adaptive reuse of an abandoned building to serve the local community. The project aims to revitalize the space by integrating cultural activities that enhance the quality of life for residents. It is designed to bridge the past and present, fostering connections among users while respecting the site's architectural heritage.

### Materiality and Design Intent
The exterior features a stone façade that reflects the region's architectural language, emphasizing durability through locally sourced materials. Strategically incorporated glass elements offer transparency and natural light, enhancing user experience and connectivity with the vibrant streetscape. Additionally, wooden accents create inviting indoor spaces that contrast with the robust stone surfaces.

### Spatial Organization
The ground floor prioritizes public areas, including multipurpose rooms, a gallery, and a café, arranged around a central courtyard that facilitates communal interaction. The upper floor accommodates administrative functions and workshops, complemented by an observation area overlooking the plaza. This organization not only supports various cultural programming but also encourages engagement among users.

### Structural and Environmental Features
The design incorporates broad arches typical of traditional Mexican architecture, providing structural support and shaded walkways for outdoor use. The central courtyard, designed as an open-air gathering space with local flora landscaping, serves as a venue for community events and casual social interactions. The overall design promotes sustainability through adaptive reuse, aligning with ecological considerations and improving accessibility within the local context.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
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MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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