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Charred Wooden Shingles and Expansive Glass Facades in a Multifunctional Urban Agriculture Hub

Authors:
Yanyan Zhang, Xueer Ma
Charred Wooden Shingles and Expansive Glass Facades in a Multifunctional Urban Agriculture Hub

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and expansive glass facades, the design integrates organic materials to create a multifunctional hub for urban agriculture and community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and fire resistance.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels to reduce carbon footprint and improve insulation.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that allows optimal natural light penetration.
04
Includes dedicated spaces for culinary education linked to urban agriculture.
05
Facilitates community interaction through multifunctional areas designed for engagement.

## Project Overview
Located in San Francisco, California, the Green-House project occupies one of the few remaining plots of land historically used for farming. The design seeks to acknowledge this agricultural legacy while addressing the modern demand for multifunctional spaces. By combining elements of traditional greenhouses with residential structures, the project aims to create a hybrid facility that serves both ecological and community objectives.

## Spatial Organization and User Experience
The architectural layout includes two primary components: "wooden boxes" that house flexible, multifunctional areas and "glass boxes" dedicated to agricultural uses. This spatial strategy allows the structure to reflect its historical context while accommodating the diverse needs of urban life. The design encourages interaction among community members through various shared spaces, such as a youth center and a market area. These environments foster engagement and promote sustainable practices among residents.

## Material Selection and Sustainability
Materials play a crucial role in the project's environmental strategy. The façade utilizes expansive glass to optimize natural light and solar gain, while wooden elements contribute warmth and emphasize the use of renewable resources. Metal frames provide structural support and durability, enhancing the building's overall resilience. Insulation materials are strategically integrated to improve energy efficiency, contributing to the project's adaptive response to climate variations and reinforcing its commitment to sustainability. The overall design seeks to establish a harmonious connection between the built environment and its natural surroundings, aligning with the vision of creating a community-oriented, environmentally sustainable urban 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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