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Bridges and Green Walls Enhancing Community Living in Urban Ecosystem

Authors:
Natalia Giacomino, Facundo damian Taborda, Victoria Gauna, Alberto Cassano
Bridges and Green Walls Enhancing Community Living in Urban Ecosystem

Project in-detail

With its integrated green walls and multifunctional bridges, the design creates a unique urban ecosystem that fosters community engagement while addressing the challenges of living in a densely populated environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Integrated green walls contribute to environmental remediation and enhance air quality.
02
Multifunctional bridges connect various levels and promote social interaction among residents.
03
The vertical design maximizes limited urban space while promoting sustainability.
04
Public transportation access reduces reliance on private vehicles, minimizing congestion.
05
Agricultural planting areas on bridges support local food production and community involvement.

City Garden Towers is located in the crowded urban setting of Mumbai, India. It tackles several significant challenges that large cities face, including air pollution, energy efficiency, and the need for public spaces that encourage community. The design promotes the integration of nature within the urban environment, positioning the skyscraper as a compact and self-sufficient urban ecosystem that emphasizes sustainability and engagement among its residents.

Design Concept

Architecture at City Garden Towers focuses on vertical living, treating the building as a small city that combines homes with spaces for social interaction. The arrangement of different functions is carefully planned along a gradient from public areas to private ones. This design allows for accessibility while also creating important spaces for personal reflection and community gatherings. It encourages a sense of belonging within the high-density environment of Mumbai.



Green Integration

A notable feature of the design is the presence of green walls throughout the structure. These walls help reduce carbon dioxide levels and contribute to a cleaner, healthier atmosphere. They are carefully planned to support various types of plants, enhancing the visual appeal of the building and actively participating in environmental improvement. The green walls provide numerous benefits, including better air quality and temperature regulation, becoming integral to the project’s overall strategy.



Structural Connectivity

The design incorporates bridges that connect different levels of the skyscraper, serving as spaces for gatherings and activities. These bridges create opportunities for interaction while allowing residents to move easily throughout the building. The connections promote a sense of community and encourage social engagement at various times of the day. Thoughtful circulation patterns stress pedestrian access and help support the use of public transport, addressing congestion in the surrounding area.



Energy Efficiency

City Garden Towers adopts various strategies aimed at improving energy efficiency. It includes external structures designed to house solar panels, capturing sunlight effectively. This arrangement reduces the reliance on conventional energy sources. Additionally, built-in shading systems help minimize heat gain, showcasing a commitment to practices that counter environmental challenges linked to urban living.



The design results in an environment that reinterprets how people live together in cities. The combination of bridges, greenery, and shared public spaces creates a setting where residents can connect with nature and one another. This approach enhances the overall urban experience, providing a blend of personal space and community interaction.

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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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