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Natural Filtration Through Crushed Stone and Green Oases in Urban Revitalization

Authors:
Lev Sitnikov, Aidar Aminov, Pavel Kosenkov
Natural Filtration Through Crushed Stone and Green Oases in Urban Revitalization

Project in-detail

Utilizing natural filtration with crushed stone and integrating urban oases, the revitalization of the Navigli Canal enhances water quality and fosters community interaction in a historically significant setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Revitalizes a historic canal through sustainable water purification techniques.
02
Incorporates urban oases to enhance biodiversity and community access.
03
Employs a closed-loop system for water quality improvement using natural filtration.
04
Features children's water playgrounds to encourage local engagement and recreation.
05
Prevents pollution from the nearby Seveso River from entering the city center.

The Navigli Canal reopening project aims to restore and improve a vital urban waterway within a historically significant area. Located in a charming part of the city, the project focuses on turning the canal into both a natural ecosystem and a lively public space. The overall design concept emphasizes the purification of the canal water through a sustainable natural filtration method. This method involves using aquatic plants and layers of crushed stone and sand. The initiative seeks to address environmental issues while promoting community interaction and recreational opportunities along the canal's banks.

Restoration Process

The project begins with the careful cleaning of narrow sections of the canal. This allows for the introduction of aquatic plants that help purify the water. Water flows through large crushed stones, effectively removing contaminants before it passes through finer layers that improve quality further. This filtration process combines biological and mechanical techniques, creating a closed-loop system that supports water health and local wildlife, thereby re-establishing the canal as an important ecological resource.

Enhancing Urban Fabric

In the next phase, the design develops open pools and urban oases, integrating green spaces into the surrounding urban setting. These areas aim to reduce urban density while providing places for residents to connect with nature. By carefully designing landscapes and creating openings in the canal, the project enriches the community’s social environment, encouraging greater interaction with the waterways.

Public Amenities and Accessibility

The design incorporates a range of public amenities, including a public swimming pool and a children’s water playground close to local schools. These spaces not only enhance the user experience but also encourage physical activities and foster environmental awareness among younger generations. Access points and gentle transitions to the water create inviting spots for community engagement with the canal.

Environmental Integrity

The project also takes into account the ecological concerns related to the nearby Seveso River, which has previously posed pollution challenges. By introducing design measures to keep contaminated water from entering the historical center of the city, the project reflects a strong commitment to environmental integrity. The materials chosen, such as crushed stone and sand, are selected for their ecological benefits, supporting the natural filtration system and reinforcing sustainable practices.

The careful integration of natural systems with recreational design provides a new opportunity for the Navigli Canal to serve as a central part of community life and ecological health. The result is a revitalized space that encourages interaction and awareness, making the canal an important asset for both residents and the local environment.

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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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