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Translucent Facade of Polycarbonate Panels and Reinforced Concrete in a Community Cultural Space

Authors:
Stefania Rinaldi, Fernando Gimenez, Natalia Gentilcore, Alberto Possamai
Translucent Facade of Polycarbonate Panels and Reinforced Concrete in a Community Cultural Space

Project in-detail

A translucent facade of polycarbonate panels paired with robust reinforced concrete captures natural light while creating adaptable performance and exhibition spaces within a vibrant cultural laboratory in Tokyo.
5 key facts about this project
01
Translucent polycarbonate panels create a dynamic facade that shifts in appearance throughout the day.
02
The modular design allows for flexible interior configurations suited to various cultural events.
03
Reinforced concrete provides structural support while enhancing durability against seismic activity.
04
An open plaza surrounding the building fosters community interaction and engagement.
05
Strategically placed skylights maximize natural light while reducing energy consumption.

### Project Overview
Located in Tokyo, the *Tokyo Light Boxes* project is designed to serve a multifaceted cultural laboratory, accommodating performances, exhibitions, and community activities. The structure integrates modern architectural principles with subtle traditional influences, aiming to establish a distinctive presence within the urban landscape. This design emphasizes adaptability while facilitating cultural exchange and engagement among residents and visitors.

### Spatial Configuration and Flexibility
The spatial organization features a modular form consisting of stacked, interlocking volumes that draw inspiration from traditional Japanese architecture while also embracing contemporary aesthetics. The interior layout is highly adaptable, employing movable partitions to enable varied configurations that cater to different event requirements, ranging from intimate performances to larger exhibitions. The integration of large openings and strategically placed skylights maximizes natural light, promoting a sustainable approach to illumination and enhancing the user experience through a connection to the outdoors.

### Material Choices
The materials selected for this project reflect a deliberate contrast between solidity and transparency. Translucent polycarbonate panels form the exterior facade, allowing natural light to filter through and create a dynamic visual effect that shifts throughout the day. Reinforced concrete provides structural durability, complementing the lightweight quality of the facade. Glass elements, including floor-to-ceiling windows, enhance visibility and promote interaction with the surrounding environment, while exposed steel supports large open areas. Wood accents in flooring and furnishings introduce warmth, counterbalancing the minimalist aesthetic. This material palette not only meets functional requirements but also contributes to the overall theme of lightness and transparency within the design.

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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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