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Translucent Concrete and Fluid Form Create a Community-Centric Cultural Space

Authors:
Leif Hansen, Egemen Kerem Özkan
Translucent Concrete and Fluid Form Create a Community-Centric Cultural Space

Project in-detail

Translucent concrete seamlessly integrates with fluid architectural forms to create a dynamic cultural space that fosters community engagement and artistic expression.
5 key facts about this project
01
Translucent concrete is used throughout, allowing natural light to permeate the interior spaces.
02
The design features a fluid form that adapts to the surrounding urban environment.
03
Water features are integrated to enhance environmental sustainability and user experience.
04
Acoustic dynamics are carefully considered to minimize sound reflection in communal areas.
05
The building connects indoor and outdoor spaces through strategically placed glass elements.

## Project Overview

Located in Rome, Italy, the "Rome Concrete Poetry Hall" serves as a contemporary cultural venue designed to facilitate artistic exploration and community interaction. The project’s intent is to create a dynamic space that encourages creativity through engaging architecture, thoughtfully merging form, materiality, and urban context. The design is articulated through a series of detailed drawings and concepts, presenting a cohesive vision that uniquely integrates with its surroundings.

### Spatial Configuration

The architectural layout comprises both subterranean and above-ground elements, promoting an immersive visitor experience. The underground zone features interconnected multifunctional spaces, including halls for events, conference rooms, and cafés, centered around a communal area that fosters sociability and engagement. Above ground, the design employs circular and elliptical forms, diverging from traditional architectural norms and allowing for multiple pathways throughout the structure. Elevations reveal undefined boundaries that invite public navigation and interaction, reinforcing the project's commitment to accessibility.

### Materiality and Environmental Integration

The material palette of the project exhibits a deliberate selection aimed at enhancing both aesthetic appeal and functional performance. The use of translucent concrete permits natural light to permeate the interior, creating a variable atmosphere that adjusts throughout the day. Polished concrete contributes an industrial texture, while glass elements facilitate visual connectivity between indoor and outdoor spaces—promoting transparency and openness. Wood is incorporated in select structural applications to add warmth and establish a connection to the natural environment. Additionally, water features play a pivotal role in the design, contributing to natural cooling while enhancing biodiversity and creating a serene refuge amidst the urban setting.

This multi-faceted approach to materiality and design reflects a commitment to both user experience and environmental stewardship, ultimately enriching the urban landscape of Rome.

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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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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
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Kinderspace
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