Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Translucent Etfe Facade and Accessible Tactile Design Create a Dynamic Community Hub

Author:
Ge Zhang
Translucent Etfe Facade and Accessible Tactile Design Create a Dynamic Community Hub
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
With a dynamic translucent ETFE facade and a focus on tactile accessibility, the centre engages the community through its multifunctional spaces that promote inclusivity and cultural dialogue.
5 key facts about this project
01
The centre utilizes ETFE panels that dynamically adapt to temperature changes, enhancing energy efficiency.
02
Tactile pavements throughout the site ensure accessibility for visually impaired visitors.
03
Vertical zones within the building offer distinct cultural experiences tailored to community needs.
04
The design incorporates nature-integrated spaces, promoting biodiversity in an urban setting.
05
A narrative-driven layout encourages users to explore and engage with social themes through their movement.

The Occurent Memorial and Culture Centre is an innovative architectural project located in Shanghai, China. This centre serves as a multifaceted space that addresses social and cultural issues prevalent in urban settings. It aims to embody inclusivity and create a platform for community engagement, thereby transforming everyday urban experiences into interactive cultural dialogues.

The building features a distinct vertical design that differentiates itself from traditional structures in the densely populated urban landscape. It is organized into various zones dedicated to culture, lifestyle, entertainment, and nature, facilitating a seamless flow of movement throughout the space. An emphasis on openness is integral to the design, promoting interaction between the building and its users.

Unique Material Choices One of the distinguishing elements of the Occurent Centre is its selection of materials, which focus on sustainability and performance. The façade utilizes ETFE panels, known for their lightweight properties and ability to modulate light and heat, thereby enhancing energy efficiency. Double glazed glass is employed to optimize natural light while maintaining insulation against external environmental factors. Additionally, light guide fiber is integrated into the interior spaces, creating dynamic lighting environments that shift with human activity.

The design also incorporates tactile pavements to enhance accessibility for visually impaired visitors, demonstrating a commitment to creating an inclusive environment. This thoughtful approach ensures that all users can navigate the building effectively.

Innovative Programming and Spatial Dynamics The programmatic layout of the Occurent Centre emphasizes multifunctionality, providing spaces for cultural events, community gatherings, and educational activities. Specific areas are dedicated to the needs of marginalized communities, aligning with the project's goal to promote social equity. By offering these diverse spaces, the centre fosters a sense of belonging and encourages cultural participation among various demographic groups.

The building's verticality allows for distinct levels of interaction. Each level presents unique experiences that cater to different interests, from art exhibitions and performance venues to serene nature-inspired areas. This gradation fosters an environment where visitors can engage with the urban landscape from multiple perspectives.

The design adopts a narrative strategy inspired by cinematic storytelling. Through spatial arrangements that evoke a sense of exploration and discovery, users are invited to engage with the complexities of urban life. This thematic approach encourages reflection on social issues often overlooked in rapid metropolitan development.

For those interested in understanding the architectural intricacies of the Occurent Centre, reviewing the architectural plans, architectural sections, and architectural designs will provide deeper insights into its innovative solutions and design philosophy. Explore the project presentation for a comprehensive understanding of how this centre integrates architecture with community engagement and urban dialogue.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

`
Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
new
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 November 2025
Concrete 
Pavilion

Design a concrete pavilion

Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
new
Pavilion Atlas 2026

Design a story of your country

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 21 January 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

new
The Architect’s 
Stair

Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 15 October 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 16 October 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025
new
The Home of 
Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility OPEN TO ALL
Early bird registration deadline 5 November 2025
The Last 
Nuclear Bomb Memorial

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Edition #6 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 13 November 2025
new
The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 20 November 2025
Hospice - 
Home for the 
Terminally ill

Design a safe and supportive space to those struggling with a terminal illness

Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 10,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 26 November 2025
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #7 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
Re:Form - 
New Life 
for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

Edition #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 3 December 2025

Media, partners and clients

To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy