Get inspired!

17,249 architecture projects

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

Transparent Polycarbonate Panels and Recyclable Aluminum Frame Create Interactive Community Reading Space

Author:
Drew Doyle
Transparent Polycarbonate Panels and Recyclable Aluminum Frame Create Interactive Community Reading Space

Project in-detail

Slidable polycarbonate panels and a recyclable aluminum frame define a flexible reading environment that promotes community engagement while enhancing the tactile experience of literature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Slidable polycarbonate panels enable users to adjust light levels and privacy.
02
A central book exchange box fosters community interaction and literature sharing.
03
The design integrates sustainable recyclable aluminum as a primary structural element.
04
Curvilinear forms enhance the aesthetic appeal while promoting an organic flow.
05
The reading environment emphasizes tactile engagement with its diverse material palette.
The Sensory Slider is an architectural design project that embodies the relationship between literature and sensory experience. This reading room covers an area of 18 square meters and is designed to function as a space for individuals to engage with physical literature while exploring varied sensory environments. It incorporates adjustable elements that allow users to customize their interaction with light and space, promoting a personalized reading experience.

The Sensory Slider employs a unique spatial configuration consisting of two semi-circular sections that flank a central cubic book exchange box. This arrangement encourages community engagement and provides a platform for interaction with literature. Users can modify their environment through slidable polycarbonate panels that control light penetration, which enhances the reading experience by allowing users to create their preferred ambient conditions.

The architecture prioritizes user agency, providing a multifunctional space that serves both individual and communal needs. The outer layer of the design consists of transparent polycarbonate, which facilitates visibility while protecting occupants from environmental elements. The semi-opaque middle layer offers a transition that invites curiosity and engages passersby, while the inner layer, made of wood, creates a warm and calming atmosphere suitable for focused reading.

Unique Design Features

The Sensory Slider distinguishes itself through its interactive design approach. The operable panels are a central feature that transforms how users interact with the space. Rather than a static reading room, it encourages exploration and allows individuals to tailor their environment to suit specific activities or moods. This adaptability makes it a refreshing addition to conventional architectural designs that often limit user interaction.

The integration of a book exchange box within the structure serves to enhance community involvement with literature and promotes shared cultural experiences. This aspect reinforces the project's dual function as a private reading space and a public resource, guiding the notion of libraries and reading into new realms.

In terms of materiality, the use of recyclable aluminum in the structural framework aligns with contemporary sustainable practices, ensuring that the project also contributes positively to environmental concerns. The careful selection of materials enhances both the tactile quality and aesthetic appeal, making the architecture resonate with its function.

Materials such as slidable polycarbonate panels, recyclable aluminum, and wooden surfaces come together to create a cohesive and purposeful design. Each material is selected not only for its functional qualities but also for its ability to contribute to the sensory experience of the architecture.

Exploring Architectural Details

For those interested in a more nuanced understanding of the Sensory Slider, examining the architectural plans, sections, and designs will provide additional insights into the design intricacies and spatial relationships of the project. The thoughtful layout of the reading room, including how light interacts with various surfaces and materials throughout the day, exemplifies the project's commitment to enhancing the reading experience.

The architectural ideas presented in the Sensory Slider demonstrate a focused effort to blend literature with physical space in a way that engages community and individual experience. By reviewing the specific architectural details, one can appreciate how this project sets itself apart in a landscape where many designs follow conventional forms. The Sensory Slider not only serves as a reading space but also as a testament to the evolving relationship between architecture and culture.

To fully understand the depth of this project, including its architectural plans and sections, exploring the complete presentation of the Sensory Slider is highly encouraged. This will offer a comprehensive view of the architectural ideas and design innovations that define this unique reading room.
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 #2
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
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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 17,249 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