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Charred Wooden Shingles and Green Roofs Transforming Urban Living Spaces

Authors:
Francesco Grossi, Fabiola Dell'eva, Mattia Venturi
Charred Wooden Shingles and Green Roofs Transforming Urban Living Spaces

Project in-detail

With its charred wooden shingles and integrated green roofs, this urban living solution redefines community spaces by blending sustainability with flexible residential units.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates green roofs that enhance biodiversity and provide recreational space for residents.
02
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for durability and a modern aesthetic that promotes fire resistance.
03
Features cross-laminated timber panels, allowing for efficient construction and improved thermal performance.
04
Designed with modular living units that can adapt to evolving resident needs and preferences.
05
Integrates communal spaces seamlessly with residential areas to foster social interaction and community engagement.
The Balfront Community Tower is a modern architectural project that embodies a thoughtful approach to urban living, emphasizing both community engagement and environmental sustainability. Situated within a dense urban landscape, the tower reflects a growing interest in creating spaces that are not only functional but also enhance the quality of life for residents. This project serves as a multi-faceted living environment designed to accommodate the evolving needs of modern city dwellers.

The architecture of the Balfront Community Tower integrates communal spaces with private living areas, fostering a sense of connection among residents. It emphasizes the importance of social interaction while providing quiet personal retreats. The design features a series of modular units arranged vertically, maximizing the use of space in a compact footprint. This configuration allows for flexible living arrangements that can adapt over time, addressing the diverse needs of families, singles, and multi-generational households.

Materials play a crucial role in the project, ensuring durability while promoting sustainability. The primary structural element is reinforced concrete, chosen for its robustness and thermal mass properties. Large glass panels define the facade, enhancing natural light penetration while maintaining energy efficiency. These transparent materials not only create visual connections to the outside but also invite nature indoors, blurring the lines between the built environment and its surroundings. Additionally, the inclusion of green roofing materials supports biodiversity and provides outdoor recreational options for residents, showcasing a commendable commitment to environmental considerations in architectural design.

The ground floor serves as an essential communal hub, housing amenities such as a fitness center, a multi-purpose room for gatherings, and children’s play areas. These facilities are designed to promote community interaction, encouraging residents to engage with one another. The careful organization of paths and open spaces fosters an environment that is both playful and inviting, enhancing accessibility within the project while ensuring a harmonious flow of pedestrian movement.

A distinctive feature of the Balfront Community Tower is its focus on the concept of shared living. By integrating co-housing principles, the design offers options for communal living that can be finely tuned to suit the dynamics of contemporary lifestyles. This approach not only helps reduce the overall footprint of the project but also cultivates a sense of belonging and security among residents. The modular housing strategies enable easy customization and transformation, allowing inhabitants to make their spaces truly reflective of their personal needs and preferences.

The architectural layout facilitates seamless connections between private residential units and public areas, promoting a sense of openness while ensuring necessary privacy. Community gardens and landscaped areas are interspersed throughout the site, creating pockets of green that are accessible and beneficial to all residents. These spaces serve as vital elements for relaxation and socialization, further enhancing the living experience.

The Balfront Community Tower distinguishes itself through its innovative design approaches, which prioritize sustainability and community engagement. By focusing on multipurpose spaces and the integration of nature, the project exemplifies how architecture can respond meaningfully to urban challenges. It not only meets the immediate housing demands of the city but also contributes to the overall well-being of its residents.

For those interested in a deeper exploration of this project, there are extensive architectural plans, sections, and design layouts available that provide further insights into the project's distinctive features and thoughtful design solutions. Reviewing these materials can offer a fuller understanding of how architectural ideas align with the functional and social aspirations of modern urban living. Explore the presentation to appreciate the intricacies of the Balfront Community Tower and its contribution to contemporary architectural practices.
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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
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