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Flexible Living Units Featuring Active Auxetic Facades and Vertical Gardens in a Sustainable High-Rise Setting

Authors:
Ian Sheng, yifan Wu, Ning Zhao
Flexible Living Units Featuring Active Auxetic Facades and Vertical Gardens in a Sustainable High-Rise Setting

Project in-detail

Active Auxetic facades and modular living units create adaptable spaces that seamlessly integrate green terraces, redefining urban residential living in a high-rise environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Active Auxetic materials in the facade adapt to environmental changes for improved energy efficiency.
02
Modular living units can be easily reconfigured to suit changing resident needs.
03
Vertical gardens incorporated into the design enhance biodiversity and improve air quality.
04
An elevated Air Bridge connects different levels, promoting social interaction among residents.
05
The project emphasizes sustainability through the use of renewable and locally sourced materials.
The Ongoing Acclimation project represents a thoughtful exploration of urban architecture, designed to address the complex challenges of high-density living in New York City. This architectural endeavor places a strong emphasis on adaptability and community, aiming to enhance residents' connectivity to both their individual living spaces and the broader urban environment. The underlying concept revolves around creating modular living units that respond to the dynamic requirements of urban life, accommodating the shifting needs of residents while fostering a sense of belonging within the community.

Functionally, the project serves as a multifaceted residential complex that prioritizes both private and communal spaces, facilitating interactions among residents while allowing for personal privacy. This balance is achieved through innovative design features that include the integration of versatile living spaces and distinctive architectural elements that encourage social engagement. Key design components, such as the Air Bridge and the Magic Wall, showcase the project's commitment to modern urban living.

The Air Bridge is an elevated structure that connects different high-rise units, effectively linking various floors while providing a unique vantage point for residents to experience their surroundings. It serves a practical purpose by enhancing vertical mobility and encouraging social interaction, allowing for a more engaging living experience. The design of this bridge promotes interactions not only within the individual residences but also between neighboring structures, contributing to a cohesive urban fabric.

The Magic Wall is another transformative feature of the project, enabling flexibility in the arrangement of living spaces. This innovative approach allows residents to easily combine or isolate units according to their needs, adapting to different family sizes or housing situations. Such modularity aligns with contemporary housing trends, reflecting an understanding of the evolving nature of urban demographics and the necessity for adaptable architectural solutions.

Materiality plays a significant role in this project, with a focus on sustainable choices that harmonize with the surrounding environment. The use of Active Auxetic materials for the building's facade provides a dynamic and responsive characteristic, enabling the architecture to regulate light and temperature effectively. This adaptability contributes to energy efficiency, reducing the overall carbon footprint of the structure. The concrete framework offers durability, while transparent glass facades invite natural light and provide residents with visual connections to the exterior landscape.

The inclusion of green integration within the design further enhances the project's appeal. Vertical gardens and terraces not only improve the aesthetic quality of the living spaces but also contribute to biodiversity and ecological sustainability. By incorporating native plant species and organic materials, the project reclaims urban spaces for nature and promotes a healthier living environment for residents.

The community-centric approach of Ongoing Acclimation emphasizes the importance of shared spaces, fostering a vibrant atmosphere where residents can engage with one another. This focus on social connectivity, coupled with architectural strategies that encourage interactions, aligns well with modern urban living patterns. It offers a framework for future architectural developments to reconsider how spaces can be designed to support community well-being.

Through thoughtful considerations of adaptability, functionality, and sustainability, Ongoing Acclimation exemplifies a holistic response to urban living challenges. Each design element contributes to a cohesive architectural narrative that prioritizes both the individual's needs and those of the broader community.

For those interested in delving deeper into this project, exploring the architectural plans, sections, and designs will provide valuable insights into the thoughtful details and unique ideas embedded within this urban architectural endeavor.
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100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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