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Concrete Exoskeleton Embracing Green Spaces in Urban High-Rise Development

Author:
Gregoire Dechaine
Concrete Exoskeleton Embracing Green Spaces in Urban High-Rise Development

Project in-detail

A concrete exoskeleton supports a high-rise that integrates public green spaces, maximizing urban density while accommodating diverse retail and office functions in Toronto’s entertainment district.
5 key facts about this project
01
Concrete exoskeleton enhances structural stability and visual identity.
02
Dedicated street and podium parks promote community interaction.
03
Design optimizes urban density while maintaining accessibility.
04
Parking accommodates both electric and autonomous vehicles.
05
Energy-efficient LED lighting contributes to overall sustainability.

The 388 King Street project in Toronto responds to the city's urgent need for more urban density and multifunctional spaces. Located in the busy entertainment district, the high-rise combines office areas, retail outlets, and public spaces into one development. The design focuses on vertical growth, making good use of the limited space to create an engaging and accessible urban area.

Design Concept

The main strategy focuses on building up rather than out. The tall, slender shape of the building maximizes interior space while minimizing the impact on the surrounding neighborhood. This architectural approach aims to increase density while ensuring that the area remains accessible and user-friendly.

Spatial Organization

The design includes public areas like a street park and a podium park, which are essential to the overall urban landscape. These communal spaces promote social interaction and provide green areas in a predominantly concrete environment. They are intended to encourage relaxation and engagement, strengthening the link between the building and the people who use it.

Material Selection

A concrete exoskeleton supports the structure and adds to its visual character. This material choice enhances the stability of the tower while allowing for distinctive design elements. Energy-efficient LED lighting is integrated throughout the building, contributing to its sustainability and comfort.

Sustainability Initiatives

Sustainability is a core focus, with features such as low water fixtures designed to reduce consumption. The parking area is designed to hold around 2,160 vehicles and includes spaces for electric and autonomous vehicles. This planning anticipates future transportation needs while increasing the property's overall functionality.

Large windows punctuate the concrete exoskeleton, bringing in natural light and offering views of the city. These features help create a connection between the people inside and the lively surroundings outside.

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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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