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Aromatherapy Informed Canal Spaces Enhanced by Sustainable Wood and Concrete Elements

Author:
Nil guney Ozturk
Aromatherapy Informed Canal Spaces Enhanced by Sustainable Wood and Concrete Elements

Project in-detail

Aromatherapy-inspired planting enriches public spaces along revitalized navigable canals, merging sustainable materials like wood and concrete to create vibrant areas for recreation and community interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Aromatherapy planting enhances sensory experience along the canal pathways.
02
Sustainable materials like charred wood and concrete are strategically used for durability.
03
The design incorporates a bent A-frame structure for aesthetic and spatial efficiency.
04
Interactive public spaces promote community engagement and recreational activities.
05
Navigable canals are revitalized to restore historical connections in Milan.

The Urban Shore project focuses on revitalizing the Navigli canals in Milan, Italy, by integrating sustainable architecture and public space enhancements. This initiative aims to augment the urban environment, improve community connectivity, and celebrate the historical significance of the waterways. The project emphasizes a re-engagement with the canals, providing functional areas that cater to both residents and visitors while promoting ecological practices.

The primary function of the Urban Shore project is to create a multi-use urban landscape that supports recreational, cultural, and commercial activities. The design incorporates pathways for pedestrians and cyclists, seating areas, performance spaces, and green zones. Key components of the project include the implementation of navigable canals and a selection of aromatic plant species that promote biodiversity while enhancing the sensory experience within the urban environment.

Unique design approaches distinguish the Urban Shore project from typical urban initiatives. The project introduces an Aromatherapeutic Line, emphasizing the incorporation of specific plants such as rosemary, lavender, and mint to create a fragrant ecosystem. This not only enriches the environmental quality but also addresses pest management naturally. Additionally, the design integrates sustainable materials such as concrete for structural elements, wood for seating and walkways, and glass for transparency and visual integration with the surroundings. The project’s landscape architecture further promotes community participation and interaction through thoughtfully designed communal spaces.

A significant aspect of the design lies in the focus on enhancing the urban ecology and connectivity. The pathways and overall spatial configuration facilitate movement and access, while the reopened canals serve as both a recreational waterway and a mechanism to restore the area’s historical relationship with water. The careful consideration of mobility and green infrastructure exemplifies a progressive approach to urban design, aligning with contemporary needs while honoring the site's heritage.

For further insights into the architectural plans, sections, designs, and ideas behind the Urban Shore project, interested readers are encouraged to explore the complete project presentation to deepen their understanding of this innovative endeavor.

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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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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