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Vernacular Huts and Glass Facades Transforming Community Interaction

Authors:
Jack Morellini, Dillon Gorton
Vernacular Huts and Glass Facades Transforming Community Interaction

Project in-detail

Combining the warmth of vernacular huts with modern glass facades, the design cultivates a vibrant community hub in Cesis that promotes cultural interaction and creativity.
5 key facts about this project
01
Community hub designed to enhance cultural interaction through a linear walking route.
02
Integration of traditional vernacular huts with modern glass elements for visual contrast.
03
Diverse program blending residential, retail, and artistic spaces for multifunctional use.
04
Strategically placed public gathering areas to promote social engagement and community involvement.
05
Focus on accessibility and fluid movement throughout the precinct for all users.

The "Mango Vinyl Hub: Creative Wanderings" is located in Cesis, Latvia, and aims to enrich the urban environment through a design that promotes creativity and cultural participation. The project introduces a walkable community centered around a linear route. This path connects both locals and tourists to various artistic venues, social spaces, and recreational offerings, enhancing the overall experience of the city.

Spatial Characteristics

The design is structured to encourage movement and interaction among users. Clear access points and pathways are integrated to allow easy circulation throughout the area. Public open spaces and meeting spots are intentionally placed to foster social connections, ensuring that the precinct remains lively and engaging for all visitors.

Programmatic Functionality

A diverse mix of spaces is incorporated within the design, merging living, working, hospitality, and retail areas into a unified environment. This blend of functions caters to a broad range of user needs, contributing to a dynamic urban setting. The careful balance between public and private areas supports both community engagement and individual time for reflection.

Cultural Context

The project pays tribute to traditional Latvian architecture, with hints of the vernacular hut featured throughout the design. These references create a connection to local heritage, adding depth to the overall experience. Modern architectural elements, like expansive glass façades, allow for interaction with the outside, encouraging a dialogue between historical influences and contemporary design.

Attention to detail is evident in various aspects of the layout, inviting exploration and reinforcing the identity of the community. The design embodies a space that cultivates culture, creativity, and everyday life.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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