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Corten Steel Structure Enhancing Well-Being Through Green Roof Integration

Author:
Daniel Rice
Corten Steel Structure Enhancing Well-Being Through Green Roof Integration

Project in-detail

Constructed from Corten steel and enhanced with a green roof, the design prioritizes air quality while offering a communal space for wellness in an urban setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with weathering Corten steel for enhanced durability and aesthetic integration.
02
Incorporates an extensive green roof to improve air quality and promote biodiversity.
03
Features living wall systems designed for natural air filtration within the urban environment.
04
Utilizes a triangulated framework that enables cantilevered roof designs for outdoor interaction.
05
Equipped with photovoltaic panels to support renewable energy generation on-site.

### Overview and Concept

"Breathe Deep" is situated in Krakow, Poland, a city noted for its significant air quality challenges. This project aims to serve as a sanctuary for its users, promoting well-being amidst urban pollution. The design incorporates a dual role as both refuge and contributor to air quality improvement, integrating advanced systems that purify the air while being aesthetically and functionally cohesive.

### Material and Structural Strategy

The project employs a mix of materials tailored for durability and performance. Corten steel is utilized for its resilience and aesthetic character, while concrete provides essential structural stability and thermal mass. Extensive glazing facilitates natural ventilation and daylighting, contributing to a healthier indoor environment. Additionally, a green roof enhances insulation, supports biodiversity, and aids in stormwater management.

The structural design features a triangulated framework that enhances both integrity and visual appeal, with cantilevered roofs fostering dynamic connections between indoor and outdoor spaces. Plan layouts reflect a thoughtful balance between communal and private areas, with living wall systems acting as natural air quality enhancers while also serving as visual focal points.

### Sustainable Design Outcomes

This design efficiently addresses both health and energy considerations. It incorporates living walls and advanced ventilation systems to ensure a healthier indoor climate, while renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic panels and a ground source heat pump, contribute to its net-zero energy objective. The incorporation of a roof garden not only invites community engagement but also fosters social connectivity, providing a space for occupants to interact with nature within the urban landscape.

Through its focus on biophilic design, "Breathe Deep" establishes a relationship between architectural form and environmental sustainability, ultimately promoting a healthier urban living experience.

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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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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