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Cooling Waterfall with Folded Stone Facade in Urban Office Setting

Author:
Juntai Huang
Cooling Waterfall with Folded Stone Facade in Urban Office Setting

Project in-detail

The integration of a cooling waterfall and a folded stone facade in a high-rise office building enhances urban sustainability while fostering interaction with nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates a cooling waterfall to naturally regulate indoor temperatures.
02
Features a folded stone facade, enhancing aesthetic and environmental integration.
03
Utilizes a glass curtain wall to minimize water evaporation and maximize resource efficiency.
04
Integrates extensive greenery to improve air quality and promote occupant well-being.
05
Designed to foster interaction between urban occupants and natural elements.

The Waterfall skyscraper is located in downtown Singapore and is designed to blend urban life with nature. It serves both as a functional office space and a sanctuary away from the busy city. The building's design emphasizes sustainability and seeks to create a connection between people and their environment, offering a fresh perspective on high-rise living.

Architectural Concept

The design focuses on uniting urban architecture with the natural world. By using folded stone in its structure, the building creates a unique interior that brings occupants closer to nature. This approach changes how high-rises are perceived, moving away from just concrete buildings towards spaces that invite interaction and engagement with the surrounding environment.

Cooling Mechanisms

A prominent feature of the Waterfall skyscraper is a waterfall that helps keep the building cool. This natural element addresses the urban heat island effect, which often raises temperatures in densely populated areas. By relying on this water feature, the skyscraper reduces the need for traditional air conditioning, thus promoting energy efficiency and creating a more pleasant atmosphere indoors.

Sustainability Features

The skyscraper includes a glass curtain wall that plays a vital role in conserving resources. This outer layer helps prevent water from evaporating too quickly, enabling effective recycling and maintaining a comfortable internal climate. Additionally, the building incorporates greenery that aids in filtering air pollutants, which contributes to better air quality and supports a healthier environment for occupants.

Interior Spaces

Inside, the Waterfall skyscraper offers various spaces designed for comfort and productivity. The presence of natural elements throughout helps create a calming environment, contrasting with the fast pace of urban life. Each area is crafted to encourage focus and well-being, allowing those who work there to feel connected to nature while engaged in their daily activities.

With its innovative cooling solutions and thoughtful integration of natural components, the Waterfall skyscraper presents a vision for urban living. It invites the beauty of nature into a modern setting, enhancing the everyday experience for its users.

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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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