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Elevated Greenery and Rotational Cylinders in Urban Office Design

Author:
Fadi Salloum
Elevated Greenery and Rotational Cylinders in Urban Office Design

Project in-detail

Rotating cylindrical forms with integrated green spaces redefine the urban office environment, promoting employee well-being and connectivity in a dynamic workspace.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rotating design shifts by 120 degrees every four floors.
02
Three interconnected elliptical cylinders enhance spatial dynamics.
03
Internal gardens accessible from each office unit promote nature interaction.
04
Vertical circulation optimized with strategically placed lift clusters.
05
Designed specifically to address limited green space in urban settings.

The VIM Tower is located in New York City and redefines the office environment with a focus on employee well-being. In a setting where many workers express dissatisfaction with their workspaces, the design aims to create a more engaging and nature-oriented atmosphere. By incorporating open green spaces within its structure, the VIM Tower encourages a productive and fulfilling workplace.

Design Concept

The concept revolves around modular office spaces that are enhanced by internal gardens. The building features three elliptical-shaped cylindrical forms that rise upwards. Vertical circulation is managed by lift clusters that are arranged symmetrically between the cylinders. Each cluster consists of three lifts, which ensures that movement throughout the building is efficient and straightforward.



Dynamic Interaction

A key feature of the VIM Tower is its rotational design, where the structure shifts by 120 degrees every four floors. This rotation fosters dynamic interactions between the office spaces and the gardens. It enhances visual connectivity and encourages engagement among the occupants. Each module contains a garden that is accessible from neighboring office units, reinforcing the link between work and nature.



Contextual Response

Designed specifically for New York City, the tower addresses the challenges of the urban landscape, where green spaces are limited. By incorporating communal areas and gardens, the VIM Tower provides much-needed relief from the busy city life. These spaces promote relaxation and mental clarity, helping to balance the demands of modern work.



Spatial Organization

The layout of the building is organized to improve user experience and facilitate informal interactions among employees. Communal areas and round staircases lead to patio spaces, encouraging collaboration and connection. This thoughtful arrangement aligns with the current trend of creating workplaces that recognize the importance of community in enhancing productivity and job satisfaction.



At each level, the gardens offer a layered environment, allowing employees to immerse themselves in greenery. This creates a refreshing atmosphere that stands in contrast to the hustle and bustle of city life.

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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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