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Curved Glass Facade with Sustainable Steel Elements in a High-Rise Office Tower

Author:
Nathaniel Berk
Curved Glass Facade with Sustainable Steel Elements in a High-Rise Office Tower

Project in-detail

A twisting form clad in a transparent glass facade and supported by curved steel elements exemplifies modern high-rise design, creating a vibrant office tower that enhances community interaction in San Diego.
5 key facts about this project
01
The tower incorporates a twisting form that enhances structural efficiency and visual impact.
02
Extensive use of glass maximizes natural daylight while providing panoramic city views.
03
Curved steel elements create a distinctive aesthetic while ensuring structural integrity.
04
Green roofs and rainwater harvesting systems promote sustainability and resource efficiency.
05
Public plazas and gardens foster community interaction and connectivity within the urban landscape.

The project, titled "High Profile," is an office tower located in San Diego, California. It reaches a height of 1,400 feet and offers a modern space designed to foster productivity while enhancing the community's interaction with the environment. The building aims to integrate work and public engagement through its architectural form and layout. The design emphasizes fluidity and movement, utilizing natural inspiration to create a structure that resonates with both the urban fabric and landscape of San Diego.

Unique Design Aspects

One distinct feature of the project is its curved form, which creates a sense of dynamism and responsiveness to both environmental conditions and the surrounding context. This twisting shape mimics natural forms, setting it apart from traditional rectangular skyscrapers. The vertical emphasis of the structure not only highlights its height but also directs visual attention upwards, contributing to an iconic presence within the city skyline.

The façade utilizes a combination of glass and curved steel elements, ensuring optimal daylighting while providing expansive views of the surrounding landscape. This integration of materials reflects a thoughtful approach to both aesthetics and functionality. The extensive use of glass facilitates transparency and a connection to the outdoors, essential in a city known for its pleasant climate.

Sustainability and Community Integration

The project prioritizes sustainability through various design strategies, including the incorporation of green roofs and rainwater harvesting systems. These features enhance the building's performance in energy efficiency, which is vital for modern architectural practice. Public spaces, such as plazas and gardens, are also integral to the design, facilitating community engagement and making the tower a focal point in the urban environment. The pathways encourage pedestrian movement and connect the tower with other significant areas, promoting a sense of unity within the local landscape.

The "High Profile" project serves as a case study in contemporary architectural design, where aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability converge. For more detailed insights into the architectural ideas, architectural plans, and architectural sections associated with this project, interested readers are encouraged to explore the full project presentation.

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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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