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Living Facades of Bamboo and Glass Enhancing Urban Biodiversity in a Vertical Mixed-Use Structure

Authors:
Edmond Baytan, Leon Ordaz, Benny Cruz
Living Facades of Bamboo and Glass Enhancing Urban Biodiversity in a Vertical Mixed-Use Structure

Project in-detail

Integrating living facades of bamboo and innovative glass elements, this vertical mixed-use structure emphasizes urban biodiversity while providing essential residential and commercial spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Integrates biophilic design through extensive use of living facades.
02
Utilizes bamboo and glass to enhance structural transparency and light.
03
Incorporates augmented reality interfaces to facilitate user interaction.
04
Features automated systems for maintaining indoor ecosystems.
05
Designed as a vertical park, promoting urban greenery and biodiversity.

The architectural project Park/Tower/Park is situated within the Electronics Market District of Shenzhen, China. This design aims to redefine urban environments by integrating ecological considerations with high-rise architecture. The project serves multiple functions as a mixed-use development that encompasses residential, commercial, and recreational spaces. The architecture prioritizes the relationship between built forms and their natural surroundings, emphasizing sustainability and community engagement.

The design represents a response to the rapid urbanization in Shenzhen and seeks to create a new paradigm for urban living. The project recognizes the need for urban structures to fulfill not only functional roles but also to promote ecological sustainability and enhance the quality of life for residents.

Innovative Design Approaches

One significant aspect of Park/Tower/Park is its extensive use of green infrastructure. This includes living facades and rooftop gardens that support local biodiversity while providing residents with access to nature. The integration of these ecological features turns the skyscraper into a vertical park, reimagining the conventional relationship between high-rises and their urban contexts.

The project employs a range of materials, including reinforced concrete for structural integrity, glass and steel for transparency and light optimization, and natural materials like bamboo to foster biophilic connections. Automation and technological advancements, such as 3D printing, contribute to unique architectural forms and adaptable uses, setting this project apart from others within the same typology.

Functional Composition and Layout

The layout of Park/Tower/Park is strategically designed to encourage social interaction among occupants. Public spaces, such as communal lounges, recreational areas, and gardens, are interspersed throughout the building. This approach not only facilitates community engagement but also allows for adaptive user experiences, supported by augmented reality interfaces.

The design includes specialized zones, such as workspaces that embrace the flexibility necessary for remote work, hybrid meeting rooms, and amenities focused on wellness, including fitness centers and meditation gardens. This holistic approach to architecure ensures that the building supports a wide range of activities and lifestyles.

To explore the architectural plans, sections, and designs of Park/Tower/Park in greater detail, readers are encouraged to delve deeper into the project presentation. Understanding the architectural ideas behind this initiative will provide further insights into its innovative and functional aspects.

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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
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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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