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Canopy-Integrated Towers Featuring Photovoltaic Glass for Sustainable Urban Living

Authors:
Soheil Sefat, Melanie Hahn
Canopy-Integrated Towers Featuring Photovoltaic Glass for Sustainable Urban Living

Project in-detail

Two vertical towers, designed with a canopy of photovoltaic glass for energy efficiency, provide a mixed-use space that integrates residential, commercial, and community functions while enhancing public access to nearby beach areas.
5 key facts about this project
01
Two towers positioned side by side optimize light and airflow.
02
The design incorporates a transparent connection to the beach.
03
Wind turbines are integrated between the towers for energy generation.
04
Rainwater and moisture capture systems enhance sustainability.
05
Canopy spaces facilitate outdoor community events and markets.

"[GROW] Tel Aviv" is located in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel, and responds to the city's growing needs due to a significant expected population increase. The project includes a variety of functions, such as residential units, retail spaces, community parks, an outdoor market, and a convention center, all in a vertical mixed-use structure. This design promotes efficient use of space while connecting urban living with the natural world.

Design Concept

The project uses a vertical mixed-use plan to meet the demands of a city projected to grow substantially by 2035. A key aspect is the transparent opening that connects the street to the beach, allowing the public to engage more easily with both urban life and the coastal environment.

Structure and Form

The design consists of two towers positioned side by side. This arrangement maximizes natural light and airflow throughout the buildings. Each residential unit offers a 360-degree view, promoting a sense of openness and connection to the surrounding area. The towers integrate harmoniously with the urban context, presenting a modern yet familiar landscape.

Sustainability Initiatives

Sustainability plays a central role in the design. The building’s facade captures rainwater and moisture from the air, which is collected for indoor temperature control. Wind turbines located between the towers generate electricity, aligning with the project’s goal of achieving a net-zero energy outcome. The upper surfaces use photovoltaic glass for effective solar energy collection during the day, providing light in the evenings.

Public Interaction

The design incorporates a canopy that enhances the connection between the buildings and the street. This shaded area encourages public interaction and participation in community activities. Space for markets and festivals supports social engagement and reflects a commitment to fostering community within the urban framework.

The facade’s functional design not only conserves resources but also enhances the visual appeal of the structure, representing a thoughtful balance between practicality and aesthetics.

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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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