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Wedge-Shaped Structure with Translucent Coroplast and Red Oak for Urban Book Exchange

Author:
Carl Dennis
Wedge-Shaped Structure with Translucent Coroplast and Red Oak for Urban Book Exchange
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A wedge-shaped structure, constructed from bent lamination wood and red oak with layered translucent coroplast, provides an engaging space for a community book exchange in an urban setting marked by neglect.
5 key facts about this project
01
Wedge form enhances urban engagement and interaction.
02
Translucent coroplast provides acoustic insulation while allowing natural light.
03
Designed to repurpose forgotten urban spaces.
04
Offers diverse reading areas for different user experiences.
05
Constructed primarily from bent lamination wood for flexibility and durability.

The Meta Memory project is located in neglected urban areas, aiming to encourage community engagement through the idea of an open book. This wedge-shaped structure functions as both a site for a book exchange and a space for reflection, inviting users to interact with the stories held within physical books. The design connects with the surrounding environment, urging visitors to think about the narratives of the past and the present.

Design Philosophy

The concept focuses on the contrast between old and new elements in the urban setting. By positioning the wedge next to weathered walls and deserted areas, the design highlights the differences in the landscape, drawing attention to forgotten stories. This deliberate placement creates opportunities for exploration and discovery, prompting passersby to engage with the relationship between the structure and its context.

Material Choices

The project employs bent lamination wood for the primary structure. This choice provides both aesthetic appeal and structural strength, allowing for flexibility in design. Red oak enhances the tactile qualities, adding to the theme of memory. Additionally, layered translucent coroplast plastic is incorporated to provide sound insulation and maintain visual connections with the outside, letting in natural light while reducing noise from the urban environment.

User Experience

The configuration of The Meta Memory focuses on usability by offering various reading areas, including spaces for standing and sitting, as well as tables for reading materials. This design promotes an inviting atmosphere, encouraging community participation in the book exchange. It fosters a culture of sharing and interaction, enhancing the overall experience of the space within the busy urban landscape.

Visitors to the site encounter a structure that invites curiosity and reflection. The wedge shape creates visual interest, casting shadows and patterns that interact with the changing light throughout the day. It stands as a part of the urban landscape, creating a dialogue between the old and the new, the familiar and the unknown.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

`
Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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