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Weather-Responsive Canopy Enhances Community Engagement in Urban Hub

Authors:
MANUEL CAICOYA JAQUETE, FERNANDO REYES BERNAL
Weather-Responsive Canopy Enhances Community Engagement in Urban Hub

Project in-detail

Equipped with a smart fabric canopy that responds to changing weather, the site serves as a vibrant cultural hub in Riga, featuring versatile auditoriums and public spaces designed for community interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Canopy opens automatically in response to weather changes.
02
Four auditoriums can be combined to create a larger event space.
03
Prefabricated construction techniques streamline assembly on-site.
04
Parking area is designed with access across multiple levels.
05
Integration of arch structures enhances aesthetic and functional design.

SMART ISLAND is located on an island in Riga, Latvia. It is designed to act as a cultural hub, focusing on community engagement and interaction. The overall concept emphasizes the creation of a public space where people can gather, share experiences, and enjoy various activities. By incorporating different functions like auditoriums, exhibition areas, and office spaces, the design encourages a blend of performance and everyday life.

Design Concept

The project includes four auditoriums that can function on their own or be combined to accommodate larger gatherings. This adaptability is essential, allowing for a variety of events and uses. Additionally, the central lobby serves multiple purposes, functioning as a stage as well as a space for meetings and socializing. This emphasis on flexibility promotes active participation from the community.

Environmental Integration

A key feature of the design is its weather-responsive canopy, which is cleverly hidden within arch structures. This canopy is equipped with motion sensors that activate when rain or snow approaches, ensuring that both the parking area and the auditorium stay protected. This thoughtful design not only improves the usability of the spaces but also creates a strong connection between indoors and outdoors.

Parking Solution

The parking area accommodates 790 vehicles in a layout that keeps access straightforward. Entry and exit points are located on multiple levels, making it functional for visitors. This design addresses the needs of the users while fitting well with the overall layout of the site.

Structural Efficiency

The construction process uses prefabricated methods to enhance efficiency. These techniques allow for quicker assembly on-site, reducing overall labor costs and minimizing disruptions during construction. By prioritizing these modern practices, the design maintains structural integrity and aligns with contemporary approaches to building.

The project features a series of arches that not only define entrances but also provide weather protection. These elegant structures add character and encourage exploration of the public areas, inviting people to experience the cultural offerings while staying sheltered from the elements.

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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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