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Fiber Cement Facades and Transparent Glass Elevate Urban Living in Sustainable Mixed-Use Development

Fiber Cement Facades and Transparent Glass Elevate Urban Living in Sustainable Mixed-Use Development

Project in-detail

Utilizing fiber cement facades and extensive glass elements, the development seamlessly integrates sustainable materials to foster a vibrant community hub that combines residential and office spaces within an urban context.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes a bent A-frame design to maximize natural light and visual connectivity.
02
Incorporates fiber cement panels with varied textures for enhanced aesthetic appeal.
03
Features balconies that extend living spaces, promoting outdoor engagement.
04
Designed with flexible office spaces to accommodate diverse work styles.
05
Strategically located green spaces enhance community interaction and outdoor access.

**Project Overview**

Located in the South of Market (SoMa) district of San Francisco, 690 Harrison combines residential and office spaces to meet the demands of urban density while emphasizing sustainability and functionality. The design aims to create a cohesive living and working environment, taking into account the unique characteristics of the urban context. By integrating diverse uses within a single structure, 690 Harrison facilitates community engagement and enhances the overall urban landscape.

**Sustainability and Efficiency**

Central to this project is a commitment to sustainable practices. Strategic window placements maximize daylight exposure and reduce reliance on artificial lighting, while computational design techniques have optimized the building’s form and orientation to lower energy costs. Detailed assessments of solar exposure throughout the day inform these design choices, reflecting a proactive approach to environmental considerations.

**Spatial Organization and User Experience**

The layout prioritizes interaction among residents and professionals. Ground-floor zones are designated for public engagement, accommodating leasing offices and lobby areas to encourage foot traffic. Above these communal spaces, residential units are designed for privacy and comfort, featuring balconies that extend indoor living areas to the outdoors. Flexibility is a hallmark of the office spaces, which are adaptable to various work styles, supporting both collaboration and individual productivity. Accessibility is integrated into the design through dedicated ramps and pathways, enhancing user experience across the building.

Numerous features distinguish 690 Harrison, including its successful blend of residential and professional functions, an architectural commitment to sustainability, and a focus on community-centric design that cultivates social interaction within a densely populated 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

Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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