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Living Wall Featuring Vegetated Screen and Sustainable Materials in Urban Community Hub

Authors:
JINA BAEK, TAEBUM KIM, FANGJIAN CHEN, SAYURI HAYAKAWA
Living Wall Featuring Vegetated Screen and Sustainable Materials in Urban Community Hub

Project in-detail

A vegetated screen composed of sustainable materials creates an integrated urban oasis that fosters community engagement and enhances environmental quality through its innovative design.
5 key facts about this project
01
A vegetated screen enhances air quality while providing an aesthetic focal point for the building.
02
The bent A-frame design maximizes structural integrity and creates open interior spaces.
03
Sustainable cross-laminated timber panels reduce carbon footprint and construction waste.
04
Charred wooden shingles offer durability and a unique texture that contrasts with greenery.
05
Integrated rooftop gardens support biodiversity and provide outdoor community spaces.

### Overview
Located within a city park, the "Breathing Wall" integrates greenery into an urban context, addressing challenges posed by pollution and urbanization. The design aims to create a functional space that serves as a restorative environment for visitors, while establishing a connection between the built environment and nature. By focusing on biophilic principles, the project seeks to enhance the well-being of its users through innovative architectural solutions.

### Spatial Configuration
The structure is centrally situated in the park and features a layout that incorporates multiple green spaces and courtyards. These areas promote human interaction and contemplation, enhancing the visitor experience. Green plates are strategically positioned to cover the building, creating a dialogue between natural and constructed elements and ensuring comfort for both occupants and visitors. The design includes adaptable spaces that facilitate a range of uses, from quiet reflection to community gatherings.

### Material Selection
The project employs a range of materials chosen for their sustainability and functionality. A vegetated screen serves both aesthetic and environmental purposes, while a grass panel system enhances air quality. The structural integrity is maintained through a waterproof membrane and an unobtrusive metal frame, which supports the green elements while prioritizing visibility of the greenery. Insulation materials contribute to energy efficiency, ensuring a comfortable interior climate throughout the year. Each of these materials is integral to the project's ecological objectives.

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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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