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Undulating Glass Facade with Steel and Concrete Integration for a Community Commemoration

Authors:
Jamie Connell, Peter Hall, Xi Liang, Michel Borg
Undulating Glass Facade with Steel and Concrete Integration for a Community Commemoration

Project in-detail

The undulating glass facade, complemented by a robust steel and concrete structure, serves as a reflective space for education and commemoration of Baltic unity and independence during a pivotal historical moment.
5 key facts about this project
01
The undulating roof design reflects the concept of a human chain, reinforcing the memorial's symbolism.
02
Extensive use of glass allows for unobstructed views, creating a seamless connection with the surrounding landscape.
03
Steel and concrete structural elements enhance durability while maintaining a lightweight appearance.
04
Integrated viewing platforms offer elevated perspectives, fostering both reflection and community engagement.
05
Native landscaping complements the design, promoting ecological sustainability and regional biodiversity.

### Overview

The Baltic Way Memorial is located in the Baltic states, specifically designed to commemorate the peaceful demonstration of 1989 when approximately two million individuals formed a human chain across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in a unified expression for freedom. The memorial serves not only as a historical marker but also as a contemporary space for reflection, education, and community engagement, enhancing the narrative of independence and cultural unity in the region.

### Spatial Strategy

The spatial arrangement of the memorial emphasizes flexibility and interaction, featuring a series of viewing platforms that offer panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape. These elevated areas are designed to facilitate reflection on the historical significance of the event. The layout includes fluid pathways, guiding visitors through the site and promoting communal experiences, thereby echoing the original concept of the human chain. Designated exhibition spaces ensure that the stories and history of the Baltic states are preserved and made accessible to a diverse audience.

### Materiality and Sustainability

A combination of materials has been selected to reinforce themes of connectivity and resilience. The extensive use of glass in the facades symbolizes transparency and openness, fostering a visual connection with the environment. High-strength steel is employed for structural components, conveying durability, while concrete serves as a stable foundation, representing historical continuity. The integration of natural stone in walkways complements the ecological context and enhances the memorial’s relationship with the landscape, further supporting its sustainable design objective. Additionally, landscaped areas incorporate native vegetation, promoting ecological harmony while providing spaces for contemplation within the memorial grounds.

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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

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
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