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Floating Gardens and Openwork Fencing Enhance Urban Waterway Experience

Authors:
Anna Sayir, Olga Dobrovolskaya
Floating Gardens and Openwork Fencing Enhance Urban Waterway Experience

Project in-detail

Floating gardens within an openwork fencing structure redefine community interaction along the Navigli Channel in Milan, creating a multifunctional space for leisure and ecological engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Floating gardens provide habitats for aquatic plants, enhancing local biodiversity.
02
The design features openwork fencing that allows natural vegetation to thrive in pedestrian zones.
03
Separate open and closed zones cater to both leisure boating and peaceful walking.
04
Artistic lighting enhances building facades, creating dynamic reflections on the water at night.
05
Strategic connections to surrounding streets promote accessibility and community interaction.

The Navigli Channel project in Milan aims to breathe new life into the city's historical waterways. It seeks to make the Navigli a key part of daily urban life while respecting its cultural significance. The design concept focuses on enhancing connections among natural elements, historical landmarks, and community activities. The goal is to create a space that encourages interaction and engagement among residents and visitors.

Concept and Functionality

The design features distinct areas within the channel to support various activities. The open section allows for boating, inviting people to enjoy water-based leisure activities. In contrast, the closed section is designed primarily for pedestrians, providing a pleasant space for walking and relaxation. This arrangement serves to maximize the utility of the channel while catering to different needs and experiences for a diverse audience.



Ecological Integration

The project places considerable emphasis on ecological aspects through the use of floating gardens. These gardens aim to increase biodiversity by offering habitats for local aquatic plants. By integrating greenery into the design, the project offers an opportunity for people to connect with nature in an urban context. This approach enhances the aesthetic quality of the waterway while promoting environmental awareness and sustainability.



Artistic Elements

The channel's fencing contributes to both safety and visual appeal. With an openwork design, it provides security while allowing plants to flourish in pedestrian zones. This design choice helps to blend the built environment with natural elements, inviting visitors to engage more fully with their surroundings. The fencing becomes more than just a barrier; it acts as a feature that enriches the overall experience along the channel.



Lighting and Atmosphere

Lighting is thoughtfully planned throughout the space. Artistic illumination of building facades will enhance the visual experience, particularly during the evening. The reflections on the water create a welcoming and lively atmosphere after dark. This detail ensures the channel retains its charm and invites people to explore the area, making it a dynamic part of the urban environment at all hours.

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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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