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Community Engagement Through Cascade Walls and Green Integration

Authors:
Iskra Bilic, Ivana Brzovic
Community Engagement Through Cascade Walls and Green Integration

Project in-detail

With its cascade walls defining the landscape and a design that emphasizes community engagement, the facility integrates a greenhouse and multi-purpose hall to enhance local food production and social interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Multi-purpose hall designed for independent use and future expansion.
02
Kitchen features panoramic windows for visual connection to the promenade.
03
Restaurant overlooks baths, enhancing the dining experience with nature views.
04
Integrated greenhouse café promotes informal interactions with surrounding plants.
05
Cascade walls define site boundaries while improving local biodiversity.

The design is situated in a vast landscape dominated by a volcano, where food production and community engagement are at the forefront of its purpose. The project focuses on creating a space that integrates with the natural surroundings, providing functional areas for cooking and gathering. The overall design promotes a connection between people and the environment.

Multi-Purpose Hall

At the entry point, the multi-purpose hall stands out, positioned at a higher level for visibility. It serves as a communal space where various activities can take place. The design anticipates future expansion, ensuring that the space remains versatile and adaptable to the community's changing needs.

Kitchen Layout

The kitchen is located at the back of the building, allowing efficient access for deliveries from the parking area. Its large panoramic windows provide a connection to the promenade, letting people see inside. This visibility invites interactions and enhances transparency in the cooking process, engaging the community with the workings of food production.

Restaurant and Greenhouse Interaction

The restaurant overlooks both the baths and the greenhouse, creating a special atmosphere for visitors. By incorporating a café within the greenhouse, the design invites casual interactions with nature. Guests can enjoy their meals while surrounded by plants, reinforcing the idea of accessibility and promoting a community-focused experience.

Landscaping and Structural Composition

The landscape features simple cascade walls that define the site's boundaries while incorporating native plants. This approach not only enhances the visual appeal but also supports local biodiversity. The building's structure is straightforward, with a sloped roof designed for effective rainwater management, maintaining a low profile against the volcanic backdrop. A ventilation duct is neatly integrated within the columns, providing necessary services without disrupting the overall look of the space.

This design reflects a thoughtful balance between human needs and environmental considerations. The careful arrangement of spaces fosters a sense of community while respecting the natural elements, resulting in a coherent and functional environment.

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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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