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Layered Transparency and Steel Core Create Multifunctional Urban Retreat

Authors:
Karolina Grujic, Olivera Neskovic
Layered Transparency and Steel Core Create Multifunctional Urban Retreat

Project in-detail

With a distinctive twisting form of layered floor plates wrapped around a central steel core, the design maximizes natural light and outdoor connectivity while serving as a multifunctional urban living space.
5 key facts about this project
01
Layered floor plates create outdoor terraces for each level, enhancing connectivity to nature.
02
The central steel core supports a unique twisting form, optimizing structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.
03
Transparent glass facades maximize natural light while providing panoramic city and landscape views.
04
Integrated landscaping on multiple levels contributes to urban biodiversity and environmental sustainability.
05
Each space is designed with adaptability in mind, allowing for multifunctional use as needs evolve.
The project LAMINA is an innovative high-rise architectural design that reinterprets urban living through its layered structure and dynamic interaction with the environment. This design integrates multifunctional spaces that accommodate residential, retail, and recreational functions, emphasizing an interconnected community experience. The architecture aims to enhance urban aesthetics while supporting sustainability and ecological integration.

The unique form of LAMINA features twisting and wrapping floor plates around a central core, resulting in a visually distinct silhouette that not only adds character to the skyline but also fosters usable outdoor spaces at various levels. The layering technique allows varying heights and orientations of floor plates, which minimizes the typical uniformity of high-rise buildings and creates a more engaging living experience.

Design Approach and Differentiation

LAMINA stands out from other projects through its flexible spatial organization and emphasis on communal interaction. By providing public terraces and gardens throughout the building, LAMINA promotes social engagement among residents and visitors. The design prioritizes adaptable spaces, enabling them to accommodate various functions and user needs, reflecting the evolving demands of urban living. The tiered structure not only supports aesthetic variation but also enhances accessibility to natural light and views, reinforcing the connection between residents and the surrounding environment.

Architectural Elements and Materials

The architectural design incorporates a combination of materials that highlight transparency and environmental engagement. The use of glass for the facades creates a sense of lightness while allowing occupants to maintain visual connectivity with the outdoors. Steel forms the structural framework essential for the building's integrity, enabling the innovative twisting design. Concrete is strategically utilized within the core for added stability, while landscape elements integrate greenery into the vertical environment, creating biophilic connections for inhabitants.

LAMINA's approach to design exemplifies a commitment to sustainability by incorporating green roofs and landscaped terraces, which contribute to improved air quality and urban biodiversity. This integration of nature into the architectural framework not only enhances the aesthetic value but also addresses ecological concerns pertinent to urban settings.

Residents and the community will benefit from the project's thoughtful planning, which balances private and public spaces, allowing for a range of recreational activities and interactions. LAMINA serves as a model of modern urban architecture that recognizes the need for balance between built and natural environments.

To gain deeper insights into the architectural design, including the spatial organization and functional adaptability of the project, it is recommended to explore the architectural plans, architectural sections, and architectural ideas presented in detail.
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MICROHOME
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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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