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Charred Wood Accents and Glass Façades Defining A Community-Centric Urban Infill Project

Author:
Charles Todd Ackerley
Charred Wood Accents and Glass Façades Defining A Community-Centric Urban Infill Project

Project in-detail

With a distinctive wedge shape and a thoughtful blend of charred wood accents and expansive glass façades, this urban infill combines sustainable living with vibrant community spaces, fostering an engaging environment for residents and businesses alike.
5 key facts about this project
01
The project incorporates charred wooden shingles that enhance both durability and aesthetic appeal, creating a distinctive façade.
02
Cross-laminated timber panels are used for structural elements, promoting sustainability and efficient construction.
03
A bent A-frame design allows for optimal daylight penetration, fostering a bright and inviting interior environment.
04
Public spaces are seamlessly integrated with private areas, encouraging community interaction and social engagement.
05
Landscaped areas are designed to support native plant species, enhancing biodiversity and ecological sustainability within the urban setting.

### Project Overview
WedgeSquare is a proposed mixed-use development located in downtown Fargo, North Dakota. The project is designed to integrate retail, residential, parking, and civic spaces, with a focus on creating an environment that encourages community interaction and strengthens the urban fabric. The design aims to unite various functions of urban life, fostering areas for work, leisure, and social engagement.

### Spatial Strategy and Design Intent
The architectural concept centers on a wedge-shaped building geometry that interacts with the surrounding streetscape. This strategic form is intended to create visual harmony with nearby structures while maximizing the efficiency of the site. The design promotes pedestrian flow and community involvement through the inclusion of an open park area, which serves as a central gathering space. This park enhances recreational opportunities and facilitates smooth transitions between the diverse uses of the development.

### Materiality and Structural Characteristics
Material selection emphasizes both aesthetics and functionality. Extensive glazing contributes to a light-filled interior while providing visual connections to the surrounding environment. Brick is employed to impart warmth and integrate the structure within the existing architectural context, while metal cladding offers a contemporary contrast, enhancing durability. The building's design features two levels of below-ground parking and seven above-ground levels, addressing the needs of urban density. Active facades incorporate a variety of textures and materials to create an engaging atmosphere for pedestrians, while landscaping and pathway treatments further enrich the outdoor experience.

The inclusion of sky bridges enhances connectivity within the development, allowing for effective circulation between different areas and promoting a vibrant urban atmosphere. The careful site planning prioritizes pedestrian pathways, facilitating comfortable access for both vehicles and foot traffic.

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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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Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
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MICROHOME
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