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Balancing Tradition and Sustainability with a Green Roof in Community Living

Author:
Roniel Vincent Armas
Balancing Tradition and Sustainability with a Green Roof in Community Living

Project in-detail

Incorporating a Green Roof that supports both traditional agriculture and modern aquaponics, the design harmonizes the principles of feng shui in a sustainable community tailored for rural farmers.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates the Bagua as a guiding framework for spatial organization.
02
Features a Green Roof to integrate traditional farming and modern agriculture.
03
Includes a flexible "Room of Choice" for personalized living needs.
04
Design reflects feng shui principles to enhance energy flow within the community.
05
Utilizes a color palette that resonates with cultural significance and environmental efficiency.

The Bagua Houses project is located in a rural part of China, designed specifically for local farmers who are looking for modern living spaces that respect their traditions. This community aims to blend contemporary architecture with elements rooted in local culture, focusing on the principles of feng shui. By using the Bagua as a guiding structure, the design encourages a balanced living environment that nurtures both individual and communal needs.

Design Concept

The core of the design revolves around an octagonal shape inspired by the Bagua. This layout organizes the homes in a way that aligns with cultural beliefs while enhancing their functionality. Each residence corresponds to one of the eight trigrams of the Bagua, creating distinct areas that relate to different aspects of life. This thoughtful arrangement not only offers a familiar structure to the users but also improves the practical use of each space.

Cultural Integration

Three key elements shape the project: Custom, Connection, and Choice. “Custom” recognizes the agricultural background of the residents, allowing them to maintain farming practices that are important to their identity. “Connection” emphasizes the need for social interaction among neighbors, fostering a sense of community. “Choice” allows families to personalize their homes, making each space a true reflection of their individual lifestyles and preferences.

Sustainable Features

An important aspect of the design is the Green Roof, which supports traditional farming methods while introducing modern practices like aquaponics and hydroponics. This feature promotes sustainability and helps residents stay connected to their agricultural roots. Additionally, the "Room of Choice" offers flexibility in how spaces can be used. Whether it serves as extra storage, a work area, or an additional bedroom, this adaptability meets the changing needs of families over time.

The color palette used in the project features white, red, brown, gray, and black. White predominates in the exterior design, helping to create a unified look that also reduces heat absorption, contributing to energy efficiency. The choice of colors and design elements reflects both cultural significance and environmental responsibility, resulting in a community that is both practical and visually harmonious.

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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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