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Dynamic Structure Featuring Porous Concrete and Integrated Green Spaces for Community Engagement

Authors:
Ayane Yamada, Kei Kato, Shohei Fukinuki
Dynamic Structure Featuring Porous Concrete and Integrated Green Spaces for Community Engagement

Project in-detail

Incorporating buoyant design principles and porous concrete, the architecture adapts to user dynamics while promoting community interaction through integrated green spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes buoyancy principles to adapt to occupant loads and water levels.
02
Integrates porous concrete for effective water drainage and vegetation support.
03
Features a multifunctional reservoir for rainwater management.
04
Incorporates community-focused spaces designed for social engagement.
05
Employs a modular design allowing flexibility in use and function.

### Project Overview
"Drowned in the Crowd" is an architectural project situated within an urban environment that emphasizes the relationship between the built environment and nature. The design promotes adaptability, moving away from static structures to explore the concept of "Moving Architecture." The intent is to create a space that dynamically interacts with its inhabitants and the surrounding ecology, reflecting shifts in occupancy and environmental conditions.

### Adaptive Design and Spatial Strategy
The design incorporates mechanisms that allow the building to adjust its physical state based on the collective activities of its users. This concept draws upon principles of buoyancy and weight, enabling the structure to either float or submerge in response to the number of occupants. Key elements include a reservoir for managing excess rainwater, which functions to elevate the building when filled. Central to the layout is the "Green Hall," designed to support plant growth by integrating soil and water retention features, thus reinforcing a synergy between architecture and the natural world.

### Materiality and Structural Considerations
Central to the construction is the innovative use of porous concrete, which promotes ecological sustainability by facilitating drainage and supporting vegetation. Thick concrete walls ensure structural integrity under varying water pressures, while additional materials such as steel and glass are employed for framework support and potential fenestration. The design also includes critical systems such as drainpipes for overflow management, ensuring optimal functionality amidst fluctuating water levels, and reinforcing the building's adaptive nature. The overall design prioritizes community interaction through spatial organization, creating areas for gatherings and events that evolve based on occupancy levels.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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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