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Cross-Laminated Timber Structures Enhancing Urban Green Spaces for Affordable Living

Authors:
Collin Thome, Ashley Tillett, Adam Baur, Hunter Swope
Cross-Laminated Timber Structures Enhancing Urban Green Spaces for Affordable Living

Project in-detail

Emphasizing the use of cross-laminated timber and extensive green roofs, this six-story building redefines urban living by creating affordable housing that integrates nature within the heart of San Francisco.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes cross-laminated timber for structural components throughout the building.
02
Incorporates extensive green roofs to combat the urban heat island effect.
03
Offers a diverse range of unit types to accommodate various household sizes.
04
Strategically located near multiple public transport options for easy accessibility.
05
Designed with a strong emphasis on integrating natural light and ventilation.

Franklin Woods is a six-story residential building situated at 98 & 101 Franklin Ave in San Francisco, California. The design seeks to tackle the significant need for affordable housing in the city by replacing asphalt parking lots with a lively community space. The primary focus is on sustainability and social equity, creating a welcoming environment for a diverse range of residents.

Design Concept and Sustainability

The design emphasizes sustainability, particularly in addressing the urban heat island effect that often affects cities with extensive asphalt. The building incorporates vegetation and green roofs, which help lower heat retention and enrich the local ecosystem. This thoughtful integration of green areas not only enhances the living conditions for residents but also contributes positively to the overall environment.

Building Composition

Franklin Woods features a notable south-facing facade that uses large windows to bring in plenty of natural light. This openness gives residents sweeping views and creates a sense of spaciousness within the building. The layout is designed to encourage natural ventilation while ensuring that both common areas and private units benefit from daylight. A strong connection is established between the inside and outside, leading to an improved living experience.

Residential Diversity and Accessibility

A variety of living arrangements are offered, including studio apartments, one and two-bedroom layouts, as well as family-sized units. This range caters to different types of households, promoting a sense of community among diverse residents. The building is also conveniently located near public transport options, allowing residents easy access to amenities, workplaces, and essential services throughout the Bay Area.

Materiality

The project relies on engineered wood materials, specifically cross-laminated timber, for its structural elements like walls and floors. This choice reflects a growing trend in architecture that favors sustainability without sacrificing strength. Steel connections are used to ensure stability and support the overall design, while glass is included in various window styles and railings to enhance the connection between the interior and outside.

The careful design and attention to detail create a cohesive environment where green elements and functional living spaces work together, contributing to the urban landscape of San Francisco.

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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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