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Glazed Green Spaces Enhancing Urban Food Production

Author:
Russell Harding
Glazed Green Spaces Enhancing Urban Food Production

Project in-detail

The integration of glazed surfaces and an underground nutrient network enhances urban food production while providing a protective environment for residents.
5 key facts about this project
01
Glazed surfaces maximize natural light for plant growth.
02
An underground nutrient network supports continuous agriculture.
03
Heavily fortified sections ensure safety against radiation.
04
Distinct entry points reflect social stratification within the community.
05
Integrated air purification enhances overall environmental quality.

The Seed is a thoughtful design that aims to tackle urban sustainability and resource management. Set within a busy city environment, the Tower serves the important roles of producing food and improving air quality. The overall concept focuses on creating a self-sufficient ecosystem within a vertical structure, efficiently using available space while reducing the impact of pollution.

Upper Half

The Upper Half of the Tower features glazed surfaces that support plant photosynthesis and protect against urban pollutants like smog. The transparent design allows natural light to enter the growing areas, encouraging plant development and supporting ecological goals. This part of the structure blends function with a sense of openness, fostering a productive environment for agriculture.

Green House

At the center of the Upper Half is the Green House, which acts as the main area for food production and air purification. By incorporating agricultural practices into the design, it highlights the role of nature in urban settings. The Green House does more than grow food; it also generates oxygen and improves air quality, reflecting a balanced approach to living in cities.

Lower Half

In contrast, the Lower Half of the Tower prioritizes safety, featuring enhanced barriers against potential radiation. This fortified area offers a secure space for residents, protecting them from outside threats while supporting the systems above. The design of the Lower Half emphasizes the importance of security within a complex urban landscape, ensuring that residents feel safe.

Underway

The Underway network acts as the foundation for the agricultural system, delivering essential nutrients and water to the plants in the Upper Half. This underground network illustrates how infrastructure can enhance functionality and support the environmental goals of the Tower. The strategic layout of the Underway emphasizes effective resource management and the commitment to sustainable practices.

Contrasting entry points add another layer of meaning to the design. The heavily guarded 'Candy Express' serves as a controlled entrance, while the 'Old training line' offers a less secure alternative. This arrangement highlights the differences in access and privilege among residents. Through these details, the design of The Seed captures the complexity of modern urban living and the various approaches to integrating environmental sustainability into everyday life.

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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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