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Filtering Urban Air With Innovative Fabric and Creating Community Spaces

Authors:
Anthony Penna, Allison Devlin
Filtering Urban Air With Innovative Fabric and Creating Community Spaces

Project in-detail

The use of a filtering fabric façade to capture urban air pollutants, combined with adaptive reuse of parking structures, creates a community-focused environment that addresses housing needs in Los Angeles.
5 key facts about this project
01
The project utilizes a filter fabric façade designed to actively capture urban air pollutants.
02
Wind turbines harness natural energy through a unique stack effect system integrated into the architecture.
03
Modular unit configurations offer flexibility and adaptability for various resident needs.
04
Community green spaces are designed to occupy three times the building's footprint, enhancing urban biodiversity.
05
Adaptive reuse of obsolete parking structures aims to address housing shortages in a dense urban context.

The Vertical Village project is a thoughtful response to the challenges found in urban living, particularly in Los Angeles. It is designed as a hub for both housing and community engagement, focusing on sustainability and well-being. By using a modular approach, it provides flexible dwelling options while accommodating social interactions among residents. The emphasis on green spaces enhances the living environment, offering a connection to nature in a densely populated area.

Filtration and Natural Ventilation

A key feature of the design is its filtration and natural ventilation system, which addresses the problem of air quality in urban settings. The filter fabric façade is essential for capturing pollutants from the city’s atmosphere, helping to improve the air that residents breathe indoors. This clever use of materials not only prioritizes health but also aligns with a commitment to creating sustainable living spaces.

Daylight Strategy

The project also makes effective use of daylight. By carefully spacing and positioning the building elements, each unit can receive plenty of natural light. This focus on daylight lowers the need for artificial lighting, contributing to energy efficiency and comfort. Residents benefit from a bright and inviting atmosphere, enhancing their overall experience within their homes.

Energy Production and Adaptive Reuse

Integrating energy production into the design is another important aspect. Wind turbines are used to capture natural energy, and the project includes a system that converts physical activity into stored energy. Additionally, the design proposes the adaptive reuse of old parking structures, turning them into much-needed affordable housing. This approach effectively addresses the housing crisis in Los Angeles by making use of underused urban spaces.

The distinguishing feature is the filter fabric façade, which serves both a practical and aesthetic purpose. By filtering out pollutants, it plays a vital role in improving health for residents while contributing to the overall urban landscape. This thoughtful design detail reflects a deeper commitment to sustainability and to creating a better environment for city dwellers.

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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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