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Transformable Beams and Warm Glow Create A Social Kiosk Experience

Authors:
Pablo Espinal henao, Erin Jeong
Transformable Beams and Warm Glow Create A Social Kiosk Experience

Project in-detail

With its transformable beams that double as benches and a warm glow that invites community interaction, the structure serves as an adaptable kiosk in urban settings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Transformable beams allow for flexible seating arrangements.
02
The structure features a warm glow that enhances community engagement.
03
Designed for easy disassembly and transport in a compact container.
04
Assembly can be completed with basic tools and minimal effort.
05
The modular design supports various seasonal functions and uses.

The Lantern Coffee House is designed to function as a modern social hub within Northern European cities. The kiosk aims to create an engaging environment where the community can gather and interact. Drawing inspiration from the form of a lantern, it features a warm glow that invites people in, establishing a welcoming atmosphere suited for socialization and connection.

Modularity and Adaptability

The design places a strong emphasis on modularity, enabling the beams of the structure to serve different purposes. By lowering them, the beams become benches, offering seating for customers. In addition to this, they act as sunshades, providing shelter from the sun during warmer months. This adaptability allows the space to meet the varying needs of users throughout the seasons, making it a versatile addition to urban settings.

Transport and Assembly

An important feature of the Lantern Coffee House is how easily it can be transported. The design allows the kiosk to be taken apart into manageable components that fit into a compact shipping container. This reduces logistical challenges in urban areas, making relocation straightforward. Assembly is also uncomplicated, as the integrated rib system permits easy setup with simple tools. This focus on transportability and assembly ensures that the kiosk can quickly adapt to different locations.

Aesthetic and Functional Integration

While specific materials are not detailed, the project successfully blends aesthetic appeal with practical elements. The design encourages engagement and interaction in public spaces, highlighting the role of architecture in community life. The form serves as a visual marker within the city, while the flexible layout emphasizes the importance of adaptable spaces that bring people together.

The detail that captures attention is how the lantern-like structure glows, creating a sense of warmth and connection. It combines functionality with a visual presence in the urban landscape, enhancing the experience of people as they move through the city.

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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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