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Sunken Plaza of Reinforced Concrete and Local Tiles Creates Reflective Community Space

Authors:
guoyu liu, junya huang, yubing chen
Sunken Plaza of Reinforced Concrete and Local Tiles Creates Reflective Community Space

Project in-detail

A sunken plaza crafted from reinforced concrete and adorned with local tiles establishes a reflective space that fosters community engagement through a library and exhibition area dedicated to historical narratives.
5 key facts about this project
01
Sunken plaza integrates landscape and architecture to create a reflective public space.
02
Reinforced concrete provides a durable yet minimalist structural expression.
03
Local clay tiles are used to connect the project to Casablanca's cultural heritage.
04
Open exhibition area allows for adaptive use and dynamic community interaction.
05
Library resources focus on historical narratives to promote collective memory.

### Project Overview

The "Twinning - Casablanca Bombing Room" is located in Casablanca, Morocco, and is designed as a space for memory, community engagement, and social reconciliation following a significant disaster. The intent behind this structure is to function as both a public library and an exhibition area that encourages visitors to critically engage with historical and contemporary narratives, fostering a collective reflection on shared experiences.

### Spatial Organization

The design features a distinct tripartite spatial strategy that enhances visitor interaction with the environment:
- **Sunken Plaza**: Serving as the main entrance, this area creates a contemplative threshold, inviting visitors to engage thoughtfully before entering the main structure.
- **Exhibition Space**: An open-plan design invites visitors to intimately connect with urban narratives, encouraging a deeper understanding of Casablanca's historical context.
- **Library**: Positioned centrally, the library serves as a hub for learning and reflection, facilitating inclusive access to information about social themes and community histories.

### Materiality

Material selection in the project emphasizes cultural relevance and functional durability:
- **Reinforced Concrete** provides structural integrity and a sense of permanence.
- **Wood** is incorporated into seating and partitions, offering warmth and a tactile element to the interior.
- **Clay Tiles** reflect local craftsmanship and traditional Moroccan architectural motifs, anchoring the building within its geographical context.
- **Glass Facades** enhance visual transparency, fostering connections between the interior and the surrounding urban landscape while maximizing natural light.

These carefully chosen materials not only contribute to the building's aesthetic but also engage with the surrounding environment, establishing a meaningful dialogue with the community.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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Chair
The Architect's Chair
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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Kinderspace
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