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Tensile PVC Membrane Pavilions with Charred Wooden Shingles Create Cultural Hub

Author:
James Launcelot Hamilton
Tensile PVC Membrane Pavilions with Charred Wooden Shingles Create Cultural Hub

Project in-detail

Utilizing tensile PVC membranes and charred wooden shingles, the design creates interconnected pavilions that function as a cultural hub for education and community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes tensile PVC membranes for weather-resistant pavilion roofs.
02
Incorporates charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and fire resistance.
03
Features an innovative bent A-frame design to optimize interior space and aesthetics.
04
Designed with pathways that harmonize with the natural landscape, ensuring minimal disruption.
05
Emphasizes cultural storytelling through architectural forms inspired by traditional structures.

### Project Overview

Located within a context rich in cultural history and the architectural traditions of Native American tribes and early American pioneers, the design seeks to establish a dialogue between the past and present. The intent is to create a series of pavilions and pathways that honor traditional architectural forms and materials while fostering community interaction and enhancing engagement with the natural landscape.

### Spatial Strategy and User Experience

Central to the design ethos is the representation of the "travois," a traditional transport structure, which embodies the connection to land and cultural heritage. The pavilions feature rounded forms that evoke historical fabric structures, supported by slanted wooden beams that create dynamic geometric relationships. Elevated walkways weave through the environment, paralleling the movements of indigenous peoples and pioneers, thus inviting visitors to navigate the space both physically and metaphorically. This strategic layout promotes inclusivity, encouraging a sense of community and belonging among users.

### Material Selection and Sustainability

The materials utilized in this project reflect both historical significance and contemporary sustainable practices. Predominantly, wood serves as a nod to traditional crafting techniques, providing aesthetic warmth and structural integrity. Complementing this, black steel elements offer a modern contrast while ensuring durability. The tensile structures of the pavilions employ a durable PVC membrane that allows for ambient light penetration and sheltering functionality. Concrete serves as a foundational element, ensuring stability for walkways and support structures. The careful selection of materials not only honors the past but also aligns with sustainable building practices, contributing to the project's long-term viability.

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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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Chair
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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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