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Community Engagement Through Hydroponic Agriculture and Healthy Materials

Authors:
Varalika Raj singh, Poojitha M p vadana
Community Engagement Through Hydroponic Agriculture and Healthy Materials

Project in-detail

Utilizing hydroponic and aquaponic systems within community gardens, the design fosters urban agriculture while incorporating healthy materials to create a resilient environment that supports vibrant community living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes hydroponics and aquaponics to enhance urban agriculture.
02
Incorporates dedicated areas for bio-waste management within community kitchens.
03
Features flexible ground floor adaptable for various community functions.
04
Encourages biodiversity through intentional green spaces and gardens.
05
Promotes local commerce with on-site eateries using community-grown produce.

The design integrates localized procurement, urban farming, and sustainable waste management to create a cohesive urban environment. Set within a vibrant community, the focus is on enhancing social interaction while promoting ecological sustainability. The approach provides a living space where residents can meet their daily needs for food, mobility, and community engagement through innovative solutions.

Urban Farming and Local Eateries

Incorporating hydroponics and aquaponics systems in community gardens allows for the cultivation of fresh produce in an urban setting. This initiative addresses nutrition while returning important nutrients to the agricultural system. Local eateries, including breweries and bakeries, support the idea of using locally sourced ingredients, providing residents with diverse culinary experiences. This enhances the sense of community, bringing people together through shared meals and gatherings.

Waste Management Solutions

Strategies for managing bio-waste from community kitchens and toilets play a significant role in the design. Spaces dedicated to processing bio-waste encourage environmentally responsible living. This minimizes ecological impact and creates educational opportunities for residents around sustainable practices. It fosters a culture of care for the environment and prompts discussions about responsible consumption.

Mobility and Community Spaces

The design emphasizes accessibility, featuring integrated public transport options that encourage movement within the urban environment. Shared amenities are carefully planned to serve various demographics, including families, seniors, and young professionals. This mixed community fosters social interactions and strengthens bonds among residents. The goal is to create an inviting atmosphere where everyone feels included.

Flexibility and Materiality

The ground floor of the building showcases flexibility, accommodating different uses such as a multi-modal transfer station and office spaces. This adaptability allows the space to evolve with community needs. Healthy materials have been chosen for the built environment, promoting well-being and contributing positively to the lives of residents.

Natural light floods community areas, creating warm, welcoming spaces for social gathering and interaction. Open courtyards lie at the heart of the design, encouraging residents to connect and build relationships within their community.

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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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