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Elevated Green Spaces Enhanced by Louvered Facades and Sustainable Materials for Urban Living

Authors:
Yushan Jiang, Shuang Chen, Hengyuan Yang
Elevated Green Spaces Enhanced by Louvered Facades and Sustainable Materials for Urban Living

Project in-detail

Constructed with louvered wooden facades and integrated green spaces, the design fosters community interaction and supports urban sustainability through a mixed-use residential and commercial environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with louvered facades that enhance natural ventilation and light.
02
Integrates urban farming on multiple rooftop gardens to promote sustainability.
03
Features a mixed-level layout that combines residential and commercial spaces seamlessly.
04
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and aesthetic appeal.
05
Incorporates rainwater harvesting systems to minimize environmental impact.

### Overview

Located in Lagos, Nigeria, the project addresses the urgent challenges posed by rapid urbanization in densely populated areas. Its intent is to create communal spaces that promote social interaction and accommodate both residential and commercial activities. The design integrates various functions within a limited urban fabric, aiming to foster community engagement, resilience, and sustainability.

### Spatial Configuration and Community Engagement

The project employs a vertical design strategy, maximizing the use of limited ground space. Ground-level areas are designated for commercial activities, while upper floors consist of residential units. This verticality not only optimizes land use but also facilitates rooftop gardens that support urban farming. Internal pathways and communal areas are purposefully designed to enhance movement and interaction among residents, featuring various gathering spaces that strengthen community ties.

### Materiality and Sustainability Features

The selection of materials is fundamental to the architectural approach. Wood is used for louvered screens and internal structures, providing warmth, while concrete blocks ensure durability. Glass elements enhance natural illumination throughout the building. Fabric canopies extend from the façade to create shaded outdoor spaces that encourage community gatherings. Sustainable practices are embedded in the design with features such as roof gardens supporting biodiversity, rainwater harvesting systems, and effective waste management protocols. This integration of sustainability reflects a commitment to promoting a low-impact lifestyle within the urban environment.

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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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