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Green Roof Garden and Jardin d'Hiver in an Urban Community Center

Authors:
Francesco Grossi, Fabiola Dell'eva, Mattia Venturi
Green Roof Garden and Jardin d'Hiver in an Urban Community Center

Project in-detail

With a focus on a roof garden and an integrated Jardin d'hiver, the design redefines urban living by enhancing community spaces while providing essential amenities in a residential setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Integration of a Jardin d'hiver allows year-round access to greenery.
02
The Community Center includes a minimarket and bar for local residents.
03
Flexible co-housing complexes accommodate diverse living arrangements.
04
A roof garden connects via a sky bridge to enhance outdoor access.
05
Strategic alterations improve accessibility throughout the existing structure.

Set against the backdrop of the Balfron Tower, the design offers a new vision for urban living. It emphasizes community engagement, accessibility, and the integration of green spaces. The concept focuses on improving the existing structure to meet modern needs while respecting its historical significance. Enhancements to functionality and space aim to foster a sense of community in a dense urban area.

Community Center

A key component of the design is the Community Center, which occupies a prominent position in the frontyard of the Balfron Tower. This facility will include a minimarket and a bar, providing essential services for local residents. By placing these amenities in a central location, the design encourages social interactions and strengthens community bonds, helping to create a more vibrant neighborhood.

Spatial Configuration

The layout undergoes significant changes to improve accessibility and movement throughout the structure. New bathroom partitions will be added, while existing walls and floors will be retained. Some barriers will be removed to open up aisles and stairwells. These thoughtful alterations lead to a more open and welcoming environment, making it easier for residents and visitors to navigate the space.

Integration of Green Spaces

A notable feature is the addition of a "Jardin d'hiver," an indoor garden space that allows residents to enjoy nature throughout the year. This area is accompanied by new glass doors and windows that offer views of the outdoors. The design also incorporates a roof garden, which can be easily accessed via a sky bridge to the utility tower. These green elements not only serve as recreational areas but also play a crucial role in linking the building to its urban surroundings.

Flexible Housing Design

Flexibility is a central theme in the housing design. Co-housing complexes span several floors, featuring shared living and kitchen areas to encourage community interaction. The utility tower includes studio flats, each with “Jardin d'hiver” balconies that provide natural light and improve thermal efficiency. This approach creates a comfortable living environment, promoting connections between residents and their surroundings.

The overall design balances elements from the past with modern needs, creating a space where community life can thrive.

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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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