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 Polycarbonate Facade and Flexible Spaces Redefining Community Interaction in Urban Environments

Authors:
Nikita Troufanov, Thomas Legleu
Translucent Polycarbonate Facade and Flexible Spaces Redefining Community Interaction in Urban Environments

Project in-detail

With a sculptural polycarbonate facade that allows natural light to flow through flexible exhibition spaces, the design serves as a vibrant community hub for creativity and cultural engagement in the heart of Tokyo.
5 key facts about this project
01
Sculptural facade integrates polycarbonate panels for optimal light diffusion.
02
Flexible interior spaces adapt for diverse cultural activities and exhibitions.
03
Outdoor public areas designed to foster community interaction and engagement.
04
Innovative use of LED lighting creates dynamic visual effects at night.
05
Location in Tokyo’s urban core enhances accessibility and cultural relevance.

### Overview
Located in Tokyo, Japan, the Pop Culture Lab serves as a multidisciplinary hub designed to engage the community in various forms of artistic expression. The project reflects the dynamic nature of Tokyo's pop culture by integrating elements of traditional arts with modern technological advancements. It aims to foster creativity and interaction, making the facility an essential node for cultural and educational activities within the urban environment.

### Spatial Strategy and User Engagement
The design features a flexible interior layout that adapts to numerous activities, including exhibitions, workshops, and public forums. Open spaces encourage social interaction, catering to diverse user needs while promoting community engagement. Notable design elements include vertical exhibition areas that enhance visibility, allowing artists to showcase their work to the public. Additionally, a ground-level outdoor forum extends the interior experience, facilitating informal gatherings and events.

### Materiality and Aesthetic
Material selection is critical to both aesthetics and structural integrity. The building employs polycarbonate panels for their translucence, allowing natural light to enhance the interior ambiance while maintaining a lightweight structure. A steel framework provides robustness, supporting the sculptural facade, which is characterized by organic shapes reminiscent of digital graphics. Glass elements are strategically incorporated to create visual connections with the surrounding urban context, while concrete foundations ensure stability. LED lighting integrated into the design introduces dynamic visual effects, particularly at nighttime, reinforcing the building’s contemporary character amidst Tokyo's vibrant landscape.

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

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`

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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
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
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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