Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Charred Wooden Shingles and Structural Glass Create a Vertical Community Hub

Authors:
Ali Naghavi Namini, Hassan Ahmadinajm
Charred Wooden Shingles and Structural Glass Create a Vertical Community Hub

Project in-detail

Incorporating charred wooden shingles and expansive structural glass, this vertical community hub in Tehran redefines urban living by seamlessly blending residential and communal spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates charred wooden shingles for enhanced weather resistance and aesthetic appeal.
02
Features expansive structural glass facades, promoting natural light and community connection.
03
Utilizes cross-laminated timber panels for efficient construction and sustainability.
04
Designed with a bent A-frame, offering unique visual dynamics and structural integrity.
05
Includes an internal promenade that integrates retail and communal functions to enhance social interaction.

## Analytical Report on the Xivan Residential Architectural Design Project

### Overview

Located on Saadat Abad Street in Tehran, the Xivan Residential project addresses the pressing need for urban housing solutions that prioritize density and multifunctionality. The design aims to respond to contemporary challenges such as urban sprawl, rising population density, and the demand for integrated living spaces. By proposing a cohesive superstructure, the project seeks to create a vertical neighborhood that combines residential, commercial, and recreational functions, thus fostering a self-sustaining community with accessible amenities.

### Superstructure and Layout

The design incorporates a large superstructure that organizes multiple levels of residential units alongside shared community spaces. Key features include:

- **Vertical Organization**: By maximizing land use through a multi-story configuration, the design allows for adaptable living spaces that can change in response to evolving needs. This vertical strategy supports the development of a layered urban environment, facilitating a diverse range of lifestyle options.

- **Flexible Floor Plans**: The project employs versatile layouts that accommodate various demographic needs and preferences. By facilitating the repurposing of spaces, the design enhances the longevity and relevance of each unit, promoting a dynamic residential landscape.

### Integration of Public and Private Spaces

A defining element of the Xivan project is its thoughtful balance between private and public realms:

- **Internal Promenade**: Serving as an "internal street," this central feature promotes social interaction among residents and is designed to host leisure and retail activities, effectively creating a micro-neighborhood within the building.

- **Public Amenities**: The inclusion of recreational facilities, such as parks and gathering areas, emphasizes the project's commitment to fostering community life. These shared spaces contribute to a holistic living environment that encourages interaction and engagement.

### Responsive Design and Sustainability

The project reflects a responsive design ethos that accommodates future lifestyle changes, acknowledging that urban dynamics are constantly evolving. By integrating adaptable spaces, the architects aim to ensure long-term viability without requiring extensive renovations. This flexibility not only supports resource conservation but also promotes sustainable living, reinforcing the concept of architecture as a life cycle that evolves with its inhabitants. The design foresight promotes a harmonious relationship between the built environment and the changing needs of its users, positioning the Xivan Residential project as a forward-looking model for urban housing.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy