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Textile-Inspired Facade Crafted From Lightweight Materials in a Tropical Education Hub

Authors:
Thomas Hopkins, Chris Falla
Textile-Inspired Facade Crafted From Lightweight Materials in a Tropical Education Hub

Project in-detail

A textile-inspired facade with an intricate exoskeleton of lightweight materials defines this School of Fashion, creating adaptable educational spaces that foster creativity and community.
5 key facts about this project
01
Textile-inspired exoskeleton enhances building aesthetics and performance.
02
Parametric design allows for a unique, responsive façade to climate.
03
Generously proportioned central atrium serves as a multifunctional community space.
04
Interior studios utilize modular layouts to foster collaboration and flexibility.
05
Shading devices integrated into the façade optimize natural light and reduce heat gain.

### Overview
The Fabric Tower is a School of Fashion located in Bangkok, Thailand, designed to explore the relationship between architectural innovation and the textile arts. The project reflects on the historical evolution of textiles and their influence on culture, merging form and function while addressing environmental considerations suitable for a tropical urban setting.

### Spatial Concept and Materiality
The design of the Fabric Tower incorporates dynamic surfaces that emulate the flow and drapery of fabric, culminating in an undulating silhouette and intricate façade. The building employs a diverse range of materials: extensive use of glass allows for natural light to permeate interior spaces, while steel provides structural integrity to support complex shapes. Concrete forms the foundational elements, ensuring stability. A unique textile-like exoskeleton serves as cladding, mimicking textile qualities to enhance thermal performance and flexibility in form.

### Environmental and User-Centric Features
The design prioritizes environmental efficiency through passive strategies, including adjustable louver systems that regulate sunlight and ventilation, directly addressing the challenges of Bangkok's heat and humidity. The interior layout accommodates classrooms, studios, and exhibition areas, promoting creativity and collaboration among students. The atrium functions as a central hub for events, linking the experience of fashion with the architectural environment, thereby creating an immersive educational experience. Detailed environmental analysis informed the building orientation and sun shading devices, optimizing energy efficiency while enhancing occupant comfort throughout the year.

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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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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