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Charred Wooden Shingles and Vertical Gardens Enhance Urban Living in Sustainable Housing Design

Author:
Michael Min
Charred Wooden Shingles and Vertical Gardens Enhance Urban Living in Sustainable Housing Design

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and stacked modular units, this sustainable housing complex integrates communal gardens and natural light, fostering a cohesive urban living environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles contribute to fire resistance while enhancing aesthetic appeal.
02
Modular units allow for flexible living arrangements tailored to residents' needs.
03
Vertical gardens are incorporated to improve air quality and promote biodiversity.
04
Large windows maximize natural light and provide views of the surrounding landscape.
05
The design prioritizes communal spaces to foster social interaction among residents.

Haight’s Living Society is an architectural project located in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco. This design aims to integrate residential units with communal spaces that promote both individual living and community engagement. The project is grounded in the local cultural context and seeks to support sustainable living practices while catering to diverse lifestyles.

The main function of Haight’s Living Society is to serve as a multi-family residential complex that combines living, working, and recreational spaces. The architectural design facilitates interactions among residents through shared amenities while also providing private areas for repose. Each residential unit is designed with a focus on light and airflow, ensuring a comfortable living environment.

The architectural layout consists of several stacked housing modules, which are deliberately offset to create both visual interest and spatial variety. This configuration enhances privacy for the individual units while fostering spontaneous interactions among residents.

The ground floor features open communal spaces that serve as gathering points. These are integral to the project’s design, creating environments for social activities and collaboration. In addition, outdoor areas such as terraces and gardens support both leisure and socialization, emphasizing the importance of integrating nature into urban living.

One unique aspect of this project is its modular flexibility. Each residential unit allows customization, enabling residents to adapt spaces according to their lifestyle needs. This adaptability fosters long-term residency and a sense of ownership among inhabitants.

The choice of materials plays a crucial role in defining the architectural language of Haight’s Living Society. Dominant materials include concrete for structural integrity, warm wood for finishes and outdoor areas, and expansive glass for natural light. These selections not only respond to aesthetic considerations but also promote sustainability, with plans for integrating solar panels and green roofs.

Furthermore, Haight’s Living Society addresses modern urban challenges by blurring the boundaries between private and public spaces. This design philosophy fosters a sense of belonging among residents while providing opportunities for community engagement.

For an in-depth exploration of this project, including architectural plans, sections, and innovative design ideas, readers are encouraged to review the project presentation to gain a comprehensive understanding of how Haight’s Living Society is reshaping urban living.

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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
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
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Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
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MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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