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Hydroponic Garden with Cross-Laminated Timber for Urban Living

Author:
Wing laam Sze
Hydroponic Garden with Cross-Laminated Timber for Urban Living

Project in-detail

Incorporating a hydroponic garden and cross-laminated timber, the design promotes self-sufficiency and community interaction within a mixed-use environment that serves both residential and commercial functions.
5 key facts about this project
01
Hydroponic garden integrated within the building structure.
02
Constructed using cross-laminated timber for sustainability.
03
Mixed-use layout supports both residential and commercial functions.
04
Atriums designed to enhance natural ventilation and light.
05
Community-driven design with shared amenities for residents and workers.

The WFH Office Tower is a design focused on meeting the changing needs of urban life, particularly in response to future pandemics. Located at the northern end of Queensway in Bayswater, it combines elements for living, working, and community interaction in one unified structure. The concept emphasizes self-sufficiency and adaptability, ensuring that wellness and sustainability are central to its design.

Architectural Concept

The design seeks to create a space that supports both individual and communal needs at a time when remote work may be necessary. A key feature is the hydroponic food garden, which provides fresh produce for occupants, minimizing reliance on external sources during disruptive times. This feature aligns with a growing trend toward sustainability in urban centers.

Structure and Materials

The building uses a hybrid approach that integrates Modular Integrated Construction with traditional timber elements. This method allows for efficient construction while keeping environmental goals in mind. The wooden elements contribute to a lower carbon footprint, aligning with both ecological and aesthetic values.

Community Engagement

Designed to enhance interaction, the layout includes shared spaces and atriums that improve movement between units. This design choice fosters collaboration among occupants and creates a lively atmosphere. Communal areas like lounges and meeting spaces further facilitate a sense of belonging within the tower.

Natural Ventilation and Wellness

Natural ventilation plays a crucial role in the design, with green spaces and atriums integrated to enhance air quality. This setup allows occupants to benefit from better comfort and health. Flexibility is also built into the design, with the ability to open doors for better airflow, making the space adaptable to varying needs.

The building's façade reflects local architectural traditions while incorporating modern features. This careful blend creates a visual connection to the surrounding area, ensuring that it fits within its context while also making a contemporary statement.

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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

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