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Hydrophilic Facades Transforming Desert Landscapes into Vibrant Ecosystems

Authors:
Yoonhae Choi, Donghoon Seo
Hydrophilic Facades Transforming Desert Landscapes into Vibrant Ecosystems

Project in-detail

Hydrophilic facades capture moisture to transform arid landscapes into thriving ecosystems, offering a sustainable living environment for urban inhabitants.
5 key facts about this project
01
Hydrophilic facades collect and utilize moisture from the air for water supply.
02
The tower's spiral design enhances airflow and facilitates natural cooling.
03
Middle floors include green spaces that filter and improve air quality.
04
Four distinct spatial characteristics promote varied interactions with nature.
05
A focus on revitalizing previously desertified land supports ecological restoration.

The Biophilia Tower showcases a contemporary vision for urban design, addressing the urgent need for ecological awareness in densely populated areas. It aims to create a meaningful connection between people and nature while revitalizing spaces affected by urban development. With its focus on biophilic principles, the tower combines living spaces with ecological functions, encouraging residents to coexist harmoniously with their surroundings.

Architectural Concept

The design relies on four spatial characteristics: Residential Area, Using Area, Experiencing Area, and Primitive Area. These layers shape the ways people engage with both the building and the natural environment, fostering a sense of interconnectedness. The tower’s spiral form comprises three symbolic lines that represent these areas, allowing movement and exploration while promoting various interactions between occupants and their ecosystem.

Sustainability Features

A crucial aspect of the tower is its self-sustaining system, prominently featuring hydrophilic facades. These facades capture moisture from the surrounding air, producing water that is essential for both daily human needs and the revitalization of the nearby ecosystem. By utilizing this innovative water management approach, the tower demonstrates its commitment to ecological restoration, directing collected water first towards reviving the surrounding environment before meeting the residents' needs.

Natural Integration

The middle levels of the tower include spaces designed to filter hot and sandy air, providing cooler and more comfortable conditions for inhabitants. This integration allows for a more pleasant experience indoors while enhancing the overall environmental quality. By designing with an emphasis on natural processes, the Biophilia Tower encourages a lifestyle that values both well-being and environmental consciousness.

Vegetation and open spaces are thoughtfully woven throughout the design, ensuring that the tower contributes positively to the ecological landscape. Nature is not just an afterthought; it becomes an integral part of daily life, reinforcing the connection between urban living and the natural world.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
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MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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