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Charred Wood Shingles and Transparent Facades in a Multifunctional Urban Center

Author:
Barbara Ivic
Charred Wood Shingles and Transparent Facades in a Multifunctional Urban Center

Project in-detail

Leveraging charred wooden shingles and expansive glass facades, the design creates a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces while serving as a multifunctional urban center that fosters community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles provide both aesthetic appeal and fire resistance.
02
Cross-laminated timber panels enhance structural integrity while promoting sustainability.
03
A bent A-frame design optimizes spatial efficiency and natural light distribution.
04
Dedicated public plazas integrate green spaces, fostering community interaction.
05
Varying building heights encourage pedestrian flow and visual interest throughout the area.

### Project Overview
The Center of New Zagreb is an architectural endeavor aimed at revitalizing an essential area of Zagreb, Croatia. Located within a strategically selected urban context, the project intends to establish an engaging urban center that enhances public involvement, stimulates economic activities, and provides recreational facilities while integrating with the existing cityscape.

### Spatial Strategy
The design employs a "mega structure" concept, creating a central organization that facilitates community interactions across diverse functions. A circular gathering space benchmarks the layout, surrounded by essential public amenities such as a library, cultural centers, and administrative offices. The variation in the heights of the towers within the development symbolizes different areas of activity, encouraging pedestrian circulation and improving overall accessibility throughout the urban landscape. Analysis indicates that public areas will comprise 57% of the total design, with green spaces occupying 28%, showcasing a commitment to creating inclusive environments.

### Materiality and Design Intent
The architectural approach features a modern minimalistic aesthetic characterized by a palette of soft pinks and whites. While specific materials have not been conclusively identified, projections suggest that concrete will be utilized for structural components, glass will enhance transparency in public and office spaces, and steel may support various structural elements. Additional landscaping materials are anticipated to enrich public zones and green spaces. The overall aesthetic is designed to foster a contemporary yet welcoming ambiance, thereby contributing to both residential and public domains in Zagreb.

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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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