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Democratizing Luxury Living With Virtual Parcel Grid in Central Park

Author:
Xiaowei Bai
Democratizing Luxury Living With Virtual Parcel Grid in Central Park

Project in-detail

A virtual parcel grid transforms the southern section of Central Park into an accessible living environment, combining the luxury of urban skyscrapers with communal spaces designed for social interaction and engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Virtual parcel grid creates defined areas for customizable living and working spaces.
02
Central Park's southern section is folded to accommodate the new layout.
03
Community-focused public plaza designed for various social events and gatherings.
04
Integration of NFT galleries and concert spaces within the virtual environment.
05
Pricing model based on altitude and size enhances economic flexibility.

PARK UP: A VIRTUAL SKYSCRAPER FOR NEW YORKER combines urban life with virtual reality in New York City. This design merges the open space of Central Park with the tall buildings visible across the skyline. The project aims to create a living space that offers both natural beauty and urban excitement, focusing on making luxury living more available to a wider range of people.

Spatial Organization

The layout features a creative folding of Central Park’s southern section, which turns the area into a virtual parcel grid. This grid allows for organized spaces where individual units and community areas exist side by side. Smaller parcels can be customized for living or working, giving users the chance to create their own spaces in the virtual world. Prices for these units are set based on their height and size, adapting to the digital economy.

Public Engagement

At the center of the design is a virtual public plaza, designed to encourage social interactions and community events. This plaza serves as an important area for gatherings, fostering connections among users. Some larger spaces within the plaza are meant for specific activities like hosting NFT galleries and concerts, reflecting the growing relationship between architecture and digital culture.

Natural Integration

Attention to nature is crucial in the design, enhancing the experience of being outdoors. The sloped park design promotes activities such as relaxation and exploration, encouraging users to engage actively with their surroundings. This focus on integrating green spaces, even in a virtual setting, shows an awareness of how important nature is in urban environments.

The representation of this virtual skyscraper effectively blends the essence of New York City's character with new technological opportunities. As people move through this digital landscape, they can connect with others and enjoy a vibrant community life, all while appreciating the elements of urban living and nature.

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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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