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Air-Cleaning Facade With Titanium Dioxide Enhances Urban Vertical Forest Experience

Author:
Kristína Bednárová
Air-Cleaning Facade With Titanium Dioxide Enhances Urban Vertical Forest Experience

Project in-detail

The integration of a titanium dioxide air-cleaning facade within a vertical forest design enhances ecological functionality while creating residential and commercial spaces that prioritize indoor air quality.
5 key facts about this project
01
The tower features an atrium that serves as a natural ventilation system by incorporating various plants.
02
Utilizes a titanium dioxide facade to actively reduce nitrogen oxides in urban air.
03
The vertical forest design allows for multiple scales of greenery integrated throughout the structure.
04
Incorporates a diverse building programme that includes residential, commercial, and leisure spaces.
05
Enhances indoor air quality significantly, improving occupant health and well-being.

The Breathe-ing Tower is a contemporary structure designed to improve air quality in urban environments. Located in a busy city setting, it accommodates various functions such as living spaces, commercial areas, and leisure facilities. The design concept draws inspiration from nature, aiming to create a healthier indoor environment by integrating plant life into its architectural framework.

Design Concept

The Breathe-ing Tower integrates the benefits of plants to achieve its architectural mission. The vertical form mimics the growth patterns found in nature, creating a visual link to the surrounding environment. By incorporating a vertical forest into its design, the tower enhances its aesthetic appeal while promoting sustainability and environmental health.



Atrium and Ventilation

A significant feature of the Breathe-ing Tower is the atrium, which acts as a natural ventilation system. Inside this space, various plants help cool and moisturize the air, contributing to better indoor air quality. The presence of greenery in the atrium not only adds beauty but also makes the indoor space more comfortable and inviting for those who use it.



Air-Cleaning Facade

The tower includes a specialized facade made from titanium dioxide, which employs photocatalysis to change nitrogen oxides into less harmful substances. This innovative feature shows a commitment to reducing pollution and improving urban health. It serves as an architectural solution that addresses environmental concerns while helping the overall ecological footprint of the building.



Multipurpose Building Programme

The building’s design features a diverse range of functions, including spaces for food and beverage outlets, apartments, offices, and retail areas. This variety allows for interactions among residents, visitors, and workers, creating a lively community atmosphere within the tower. The layout optimizes land use and offers an integrated experience for everyone involved.



The Breathe-ing Tower's design emphasizes the careful arrangement of greenery throughout its structure. This creates a vertical landscape that enhances the relationship between the building and nature, addressing the need for improved air quality in urban settings while fostering a healthier living environment.

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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
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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