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Capturing Sand Particles With Porous Fiber Structures At The Desert-Oasis Interface

Authors:
Fanglei Liu, Xuehao Wang, Jiahe Li
Capturing Sand Particles With Porous Fiber Structures At The Desert-Oasis Interface

Project in-detail

Constructed with porous fiber filter cells and positioned at the critical junction of desert and oasis, the structure purifies air while fostering ecological regeneration in an environment threatened by sandstorms.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed at the interface between desert and oasis for ecological impact.
02
Utilizes porous fiber filter cells for effective air purification.
03
Incorporates greenery beneath each tower to enhance biodiversity.
04
Integrates greenhouses for seedling cultivation within the design.
05
Guides wind dynamics to optimize air filtration around the structure.

The Tribe of Wind addresses the growing environmental challenges of sandstorms in China, particularly in cities such as Beijing. The design features the Tower of Wind, which functions as an air purification system that captures airborne particles. Located strategically at the boundary between desert and oasis, it aims not only to improve air quality but also to support ecological recovery in affected areas. The overall design emphasizes the relationship between the structure and its environment, integrating nature into urban life.

Design Concept

The Tower of Wind employs a clear strategy that highlights its functional role in reducing pollution while enriching its surrounding landscape. The tower takes advantage of natural wind patterns, enabling airflow to spiral downwards along its exterior. This design element is crucial for optimizing the filtration process, as it effectively captures small airborne particles before they can affect the air quality in urban areas.

Material Considerations

Porous fiber materials make up the filter cells of the tower, designed specifically to capture sand particles while remaining lightweight. Alongside these materials, the use of lightweight carbon steel adds durability and resilience required for enduring challenging weather conditions. This careful selection of materials ensures that the tower maintains its performance over time while withstanding the elements.

Ecological Integration

The tower’s strategic location plays a significant role in its mission of ecological restoration. By situating the Tower of Wind at the interface between desert and oasis, it creates spaces for vegetation to flourish, contributing to a sustainable ecosystem in dry regions. Areas designed for greenery beneath each tower promote connections with the oasis, allowing plant life to extend further into the desert. This approach encourages biodiversity, which is essential for maintaining ecological balance.

Innovative Features

The Tower of Wind goes beyond air purification by including greenhouses for seedling cultivation. This feature enhances the project’s focus on ecological health. It not only supports local plant life but also invites community engagement, making it a space for people to connect with nature. These innovative aspects demonstrate a thoughtful approach to the built environment, emphasizing the importance of architecture in environmental care.

The design presents a structure that merges function with ecological awareness, featuring a careful arrangement of air, light, and vegetation. Each element works together to revitalize and improve the surrounding landscape.

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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
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