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Translucent Roof and Repurposed Metal Sheet Define a Community Museum

Author:
Esteban Sepúlveda
Translucent Roof and Repurposed Metal Sheet Define a Community Museum

Project in-detail

A translucent roof combined with repurposed metal sheets transforms a former school into a functional museum, enhancing community engagement while preserving historical elements.
5 key facts about this project
01
Translucent roof evenly diffuses natural light throughout the interior.
02
Repurposed metal sheets create a visual link between old and new.
03
Flexible space design accommodates various exhibitions and community events.
04
Temporary screens allow for easy division of areas based on needs.
05
Grass hills serve as audience spaces while integrating with the landscape.

The design centers around the conversion of a former school into a museum, located in a place rich in history and community ties. Aiming to incorporate sustainability and engagement, the approach reinterprets the original structure while respecting its past. The design emphasizes flexibility, allowing the museum to cater to various functions and attract a diverse audience.

TRANSFORMATION OF SPACE

The project begins with a complete removal of the interior, allowing materials to be repurposed throughout the new museum. This decision not only minimizes waste but also honors the building's history, integrating aspects of its past into its new role. New access points are created in the existing walls, forming a main entrance and a service entrance that improve circulation and connection within the museum.

STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS

A key feature of the design is the translucent roof. It lets in natural light during the day, creating a bright atmosphere and, at night, it shines like a glowing beacon. This feature enhances the invitation of the museum while also making it highly visible in the community. Complementing this is a metal sheet taken from the old roof. This adds a modern touch while serving to connect the historical context with contemporary design.

FLEXIBILITY AND USABILITY

A wood structure is used to support the original walls and the new roof, providing a spacious interior with high ceilings. This design allows for many different layouts to accommodate exhibitions and community events. The use of temporary screens enables the space to be adjusted for various activities, further enhancing its functional capacity.

OUTDOOR ENHANCEMENTS

Future plans include creating outdoor areas for performances and exhibitions, as well as grassy hills that will serve as audience spaces and program areas. These landscape features aim to connect the museum with the natural surroundings and create opportunities for interaction between indoor and outdoor activities. This focus on blending various elements reflects a commitment to community involvement and appreciation of the environment.

Every detail in the design aims to balance the historical aspects of the original school with the practical needs of a modern museum, creating a space that supports both cultural exchange and community engagement.

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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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