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Charred Wooden Shingles and Vertical Gardens in a Sustainable Community Hub Design

Author:
Wan Chuen Ng
Charred Wooden Shingles and Vertical Gardens in a Sustainable Community Hub Design

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and integrating vertical gardens, the design promotes sustainable urban living while serving as a community hub that fosters collaboration and engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and fire resistance.
02
Incorporates vertical gardens to improve air quality and promote biodiversity.
03
Features cross-laminated timber panels for optimized structural performance and sustainability.
04
Designed with a bent A-frame structure to maximize natural light and support diverse functions.
05
Integrates communal spaces specifically for fostering collaboration among residents and small businesses.

## Project Overview
Located in Hong Kong, the initiative aims to establish the city as a global hub for talent immigration within the framework of the Greater Bay Economy. This development addresses critical urban challenges, including high living costs, a lack of affordable spaces for small businesses, and the under-utilization of existing industrial areas. The overall intent is to integrate diverse elements of Hong Kong's urban fabric, fostering a vibrant community that supports shared experiences while accommodating individual needs.

## Zoning and Spatial Organization
The architectural layout features a multi-layered zoning approach, thoughtfully balancing various functions across the site. Ground-level spaces are designated for retail, facilitating public engagement and commercial activity. Mid-level sections comprise co-working spaces and community hubs, which encourage collaboration among occupants. Upper levels are tailored for residential and hospitality options, aligning with the urban density characteristic of the city. Vertical and horizontal integration throughout the design maximizes functionality and accessibility, with flexible configurations in the lower blocks catering to diverse requirements and a central connector dedicated to enhancing pedestrian flow, thereby fostering community interaction.

## Materiality and Sustainability
The project emphasizes a sustainable approach through a carefully selected palette of materials aimed at achieving both structural integrity and aesthetic coherence. The design likely incorporates concrete for flexibility, glass for natural light and transparency, and steel for durable frameworks. Additionally, the inclusion of green roofs and vertical gardens is planned to enhance urban biodiversity, manage rainwater, and improve air quality. This commitment to sustainability underpins the project's functional and visual objectives.

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

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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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