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Elevated Living Spaces Enclosed in Concrete and Steel With Enhanced Natural Light

Authors:
Richard Prugger, Simon Kimmel
Elevated Living Spaces Enclosed in Concrete and Steel With Enhanced Natural Light

Project in-detail

Stacked residential units crafted with steel and concrete, enhanced by natural light, create adaptable living environments that foster community interactions in a densely populated urban setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Vertical stacking of residential units maximizes limited ground space.
02
Adaptable interior partitions allow for personalized living configurations.
03
Communal platforms at various heights encourage resident interaction.
04
Use of locally sourced materials enhances sustainability and reduces environmental impact.
05
Natural light is emphasized through strategically placed glass elements throughout the structure.

The architectural project "Praising the Vertical" addresses the housing crisis in Hong Kong by utilizing vertical design to maximize urban space and enhance community interactions. With a focus on functionality and adaptability, this project redefines urban living, making efficient use of a limited footprint while enhancing resident connectivity through its design elements. The core idea promotes a vertical living experience that balances private spaces with communal areas for a cohesive community environment.

Innovative Vertical Space Utilization

This project uniquely leverages vertical organization to create a multifaceted living arrangement. By stacking residential units, the design minimizes ground space usage while promoting a sense of community. Each apartment is interconnected through common cores and vertical circulation routes, allowing for easy movement throughout the structure. This organization supports both individual privacy and communal engagement, enabling residents to thrive in a connected environment. Additionally, adaptable designs facilitate changes in household dynamics, allowing for micro and macro living spaces to coexist.

Community-Centric Architectural Features

"Praising the Vertical" integrates community-centric features that differentiate it from traditional housing developments. Shared platforms located at various levels foster social interaction among residents, encouraging community activities and strengthening neighborly relationships. The internal layout is designed with flexible partitioning, allowing residents to modify their space to suit personal needs. This adaptability is central to the project, as it accommodates diverse lifestyles and family structures, reflecting current urban living trends.

Material Efficiency and Sustainability

Material choices are critical to the project's identity and function. The structure employs concrete for its core, ensuring robustness, while steel provides the necessary support for the vertical design. Glass elements allow natural light to penetrate the interiors, promoting energy efficiency. Timber is used in specific internal areas to add warmth and comfort, balancing the cooler materials utilized throughout. The selection of sustainable and locally available materials aligns with modern architectural practices, reinforcing the project’s commitment to environmental responsibility while maintaining an economical approach.

For further insights into "Praising the Vertical," consider exploring the architectural plans, sections, and design details to appreciate the thoughtful integration of form, function, and community-focused ideals present in this significant architectural project.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge invites architects and designers to create iconic public sculptures for one of two sites in Saudi Arabia: Abu Hadriyah Road or the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar. Proposals should reflect Saudi identity, culture, and future aspirations.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge is an international architecture and design competition inviting creatives to shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s public spaces. With a total prize fund of €50,000, the competition calls for sculptural proposals that merge cultural symbolism with innovative design, offering participants a chance to see their concepts brought to life in a rapidly transforming national context.

Organised by Buildner in partnership with the Mujassam Watan Initiative, the challenge focuses on two prominent locations: Abu Hadriyah Road, a major highway and gateway into the Eastern Province, and the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar, a pedestrian-focused waterfront district. Designers must select one site and develop a sculpture that engages with its surroundings—whether addressing the fast-paced dynamism of a transit corridor or creating moments of interaction along a coastal promenade.

Proposals should be bold, site-specific, and rooted in narrative—drawing on themes such as heritage, national identity, transformation, and dialogue. Environmental responsiveness, material durability, and feasibility are strongly encouraged, as winning projects may be selected for actual construction.

Each submission must include four A2 landscape presentation boards, a cover image, and a written project description. The competition is open to professionals and students alike, working individually or in teams of up to four people. No professional license is required.

Registration is open until July 24, 2025, with final submissions due by August 27, 2025. Winners will be announced on October 1, 2025.

Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge

Design iconic urban sculptures for the prestigious Mujassam Watan competition and compete for 50,000 €

50,000 € PRIZE project COMPETITION
Prize 50,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 24 July 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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