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Charred Timber Elements Enhance Urban Connectivity at London's Iconic Intersection

Author:
Matteo Melioli
Charred Timber Elements Enhance Urban Connectivity at London's Iconic Intersection

Project in-detail

Incorporating charred timber and green roofs, the design revitalizes a pivotal London intersection, enhancing urban functionality while promoting pedestrian engagement and sustainability.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates green roofs to improve urban biodiversity and reduce heat.
02
Features charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and aesthetics.
03
Utilizes cross-laminated timber panels for lightweight structural integrity.
04
Emphasizes pedestrian flow with wide walkways and soft edges.
05
Integrates LED lighting to enhance safety and energy efficiency after dark.

### Project Overview

The architectural design at Oxford Circus, located in London's West End, aims to enhance one of Europe's busiest intersections between Regent Street and Oxford Street. This urban intervention focuses on revitalizing the area by improving both its aesthetic appeal and functional capacity. The design intends to create a vibrant urban space that accommodates shoppers, tourists, and local residents while simultaneously promoting sustainability and community connectivity.

### Spatial Configuration and User Experience

The design strategy transforms the intersection from a predominantly traffic-oriented area into a more inclusive public space. The layout incorporates interconnected zones that encourage interaction and community engagement. Emphasizing circulation, the design maximizes accessibility through strategically layered spaces, ranging from ground-level retail and leisure to elevated rooftop gardens, facilitating a flow of movement that enhances the user experience.

### Material Selection and Sustainability Features

The selection of materials aligns with sustainability goals while ensuring durability in a high-traffic environment. Key materials proposed include reinforced concrete for structural integrity, glass facades to enhance natural light and visibility, and sustainable timber for canopies and seating. The incorporation of green roof systems not only provides valuable green space but also contributes to environmental cooling and biodiversity. Additionally, natural stone paving complements the historical context of the area, while integrated LED lighting promotes energy efficiency and safety, enhancing the overall functionality and aesthetic of the space.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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