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Translucent Glass Facade with Steel Frame Enhancing Natural Light in a Contemporary Art Exhibit

Translucent Glass Facade with Steel Frame Enhancing Natural Light in a Contemporary Art Exhibit
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A translucent glass facade and a steel frame complement the museum's mountain-inspired corridor design, creating an engaging environment for contemporary art exhibition.
5 key facts about this project
01
Translucent glass panels are integrated into the steel frame to maximize natural light.
02
The museum's bent A-frame design mirrors the surrounding mountain landscape.
03
Artworks are displayed on adjustable wall-mounted panels for versatile engagement.
04
Cross-laminated timber panels are utilized to enhance sustainability in construction.
05
Charred wooden shingles add a unique texture and weather resistance to the facade.

**Overview**
The Divide Museum, conceived as a unique exhibition space, examines the multifaceted relationship between art, nature, and geographical boundaries. Situated in a landscape resonating with themes of division, the museum functions as both a venue for artistic expression and a platform for dialogue on ecological and ideological divides. The design integrates physical and metaphorical layers of separation to encourage reflection on their impacts within the environment and society.

**Spatial Strategy and User Experience**
The architectural layout presents a linear and sculptural corridor that mirrors the contours of mountain ridges, enhancing the conceptual framework of traversing divides. Artworks are displayed through strategically placed wall-mounted panels, inviting visitors to engage with the pieces while navigating through light-drenched spaces. This experience takes cues from the principles of a camera obscura, where light, reflection, and spatial orientation converge to shape visitor perception. The arrangement promotes an interactive dialogue between the viewer and the exhibited art, inviting individual interpretations of the landscapes on display.

**Materiality and Contextual Integration**
The construction employs a combination of steel, glass, concrete, and wood, reinforcing both structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. Steel provides durability, while glass facilitates natural light and transparency, fostering a connection with the surrounding landscape. Concrete serves as a stable foundation that grounds the design, embodying a balance between civilization and nature. The inclusion of wood offers warmth and tactility, complementing the raw aesthetic of the overall structure. This careful material selection not only supports functional performance but also symbolically represents the interplay between the natural environment and human-made constructs, aligned with the thematic explorations integral to the museum's mission.

The geographic context draws inspiration from significant natural features, particularly evoking the imagery of mountain ranges like the Triple Divide Peak, directly linking the museum's purpose to the landscapes that inform both the exhibited works and the visitor experience.

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

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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.

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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

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