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Strategic Color Use and Thresholds Create Safe Spaces for Families

Author:
Phuong Vu
Strategic Color Use and Thresholds Create Safe Spaces for Families
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Incorporating a strategic use of color and thoughtfully designed thresholds, the residence enhances comfort and accessibility for a family with an autistic child.
5 key facts about this project
01
Color-coded zones aid navigation for the child.
02
Central calm room provides quick access during anxiety.
03
Thresholds double as visual and physical boundaries.
04
LED backlit panels enhance spatial atmosphere.
05
Sustainable features include rainwater collection systems.

"Silence of Colors" is designed for a young couple with an autistic child, located on an island in Spivey Lake, Georgia. The concept takes inspiration from the autism symbol and the game of Tetris, focusing on creating a nurturing environment that prioritizes comfort and emotional well-being. The design carefully combines functional spaces with sensory experiences to accommodate the unique needs of the family.

Spatial Arrangement

The home’s layout ensures accessibility and security for the child. The child’s room and a calm room are centrally positioned, allowing the child easy access during moments of anxiety. Surrounding these spaces are the living area and the parents' quarters, strategically located along the outer walls to provide views of the natural surroundings. This arrangement facilitates smooth circulation while encouraging family interaction.

Use of Color

Color plays an important role in the design, promoting navigation and delineating spaces. Different colors are used to help the child identify areas and understand transitions between activities. Thresholds between modules serve both as physical barriers and visual guides, making the home easier to navigate. This thoughtful use of color supports a sensory experience that fosters comfort.

Artistic Elements

The thresholds in particular lend an artistic touch to the home. They resemble contemporary installations, drawing attention while serving practical purposes. LED backlit panels enhance the interior, creating vibrant color walls that contribute to a welcoming atmosphere. These artistic features engage the child's sense of awareness and understanding of their environment.

Sustainable Design Choices

Sustainability is another key aspect of the design. Photovoltaic panels provide energy, while a rainwater collection system allows for greywater reuse. This approach not only meets the household's functional needs, such as irrigation and bathroom usage, but also reflects a commitment to environmentally conscious practices.

Light streams through large windows, playing on the colors within the home, creating an inviting and supportive environment for all inhabitants.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
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Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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