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Modular Steel Structure With Integrated Photovoltaics in Urban Setting

Authors:
Stephanie Pieri, Arthur Mamou-mani
Modular Steel Structure With Integrated Photovoltaics in Urban Setting

Project in-detail

Constructed from a modular steel framework, the design incorporates integrated photovoltaics to enhance energy efficiency while providing diverse spaces for research and office functions in an urban environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular construction allows for rapid assembly on-site.
02
Stacked prefabricated units provide unique tubular stiffness and stability.
03
Integrated photovoltaic panels enhance sustainability and energy efficiency.
04
Five basement levels accommodate essential utilities and services.
05
Flexible design supports diverse office and research functionalities.

The DNA Blockchain Skyscraper presents a new approach to high-rise construction, characterized by its modular and decentralized design. Rising 560 meters high, the structure includes 75 storeys made from 600 prefabricated modules, each offering a net area of 182 square meters. The arrangement of these modules optimizes the use of space while making construction easier and faster. The design accommodates various functions, such as research centers, public gathering areas, and office spaces, enhancing the building's role in the urban environment.

Structural Integrity and Material Use

The integrity of the skyscraper relies on an innovative stacking technique that replaces the need for a central core. Each module contributes to the building's strength by creating a tubular shape that resists lateral forces. Steel serves as the primary material due to its recyclability, highlighting the emphasis on sustainability in the design. This choice of material supports the building’s foundation while ensuring a lower environmental impact.

Functional Diversity

The building's layout includes different functional areas. Public spaces and restaurants occupy the lower levels, while office environments take up the upper storeys. In total, the office spaces cover 120,000 square meters, complemented by five basement levels designated for utilities. This arrangement promotes interaction and allows for a blend of work and leisure, catering to the needs of various users.

Sustainability and Technological Integration

Sustainability plays a vital role in the design. Low water consumption fixtures and systems for graywater reuse are integrated into the overall plan. Additionally, increased glazing is used to accommodate photovoltaic panels for collecting solar energy. The design incorporates modern methods such as robotic technology and machine learning, making the construction process more efficient and environmentally friendly.

The overall configuration of the DNA Blockchain Skyscraper, with its modular design and advanced structural systems, contributes to its distinctive presence in the urban skyline, emphasizing both practicality and innovation in modern building design.

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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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