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Elevated Green Space Enhancing Urban Connectivity Through Community Playgrounds

Author:
Alicja Sienkiewicz
Elevated Green Space Enhancing Urban Connectivity Through Community Playgrounds
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An elevated park integrated into the urban landscape transforms neglected gaps into vibrant community spaces, enhancing accessibility and promoting social interaction through dedicated recreational areas.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated park design integrates green space above urban structures.
02
Repurposed urban gaps serve as community hubs for social interaction.
03
Vertical elements facilitate connectivity across multiple levels.
04
Dedicated recreational areas promote active community engagement.
05
Water management systems enhance sustainability and resource conservation.

The design focuses on revitalizing underused urban spaces in the first nine Rioni of Rome. It emphasizes filling gaps in the existing urban fabric to enhance social interaction and improve the environment. Creating functional communal areas is central to the concept. This design aims to reimagine the urban landscape, prioritizing collaboration among residents and sustainability in everyday life.

Urban Gaps

Neglected areas are identified and categorized as "gaps," with sizes defined as modules. This classification helps target specific interventions to improve the urban environment. By addressing these gaps, opportunities for new pathways and interactions are created, enriching community life and promoting engagement among residents.

Vertical Connectivity

The integration of vertical forms is an essential part of the design. Elements such as staircases, elevators, and green towers improve accessibility throughout the urban landscape. These components allow for better movement between different levels, making the spaces more interconnected. This approach ensures that all parts of the design work together, enhancing the overall urban experience.

Elevated Green Space

A key feature of the design is an elevated park that serves both recreational and environmental management purposes. Placed above existing structures, this green space provides room for socialization and leisure. It also incorporates systems to manage water runoff, contributing to urban biodiversity and improving ecological conditions in the area.

Community Engagement

Community feedback is incorporated into the design process to ensure local needs are met effectively. This has led to the inclusion of playgrounds and recreational areas that focus on promoting social interaction among residents. The goal is to create a space where residents feel involved and responsible for maintaining their communal areas, strengthening their connection to the urban environment.

Water containers designed to capture rainwater for reuse stand out in the design. They represent a commitment to sustainability, ensuring that resources are carefully managed and conserved.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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Design the next suburban home for the USA

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