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Rainwater-Powered Ponds Integrated Into Multi-Level Community Living

Author:
Isabel Urbez martinez
Rainwater-Powered Ponds Integrated Into Multi-Level Community Living

Project in-detail

Integrating rainwater-fed ponds with a multi-level layout that enhances southern exposure, the development promotes community living while prioritizing ecological sustainability.
5 key facts about this project
01
Integrates ponds designed to enhance privacy while promoting social interaction.
02
Rainwater collection from roofs supplies water for the ponds, reinforcing sustainability.
03
Apartments are arranged on terraces to maximize southern exposure for natural light.
04
Locally sourced materials are emphasized to support the regional economy.
05
Community facilities include a workshop and coworking space to encourage interaction.

"Augua," located in Aragón, reflects a thoughtful approach to integrating architecture with the surrounding landscape. The name, meaning water, highlights the central theme of the project. With a design that emphasizes a multi-level structure, Augua optimizes views and enhances sunlight exposure, creating a living environment that supports community interaction and ecological awareness.

Site Strategy

The layout of Augua takes advantage of the natural terraces inherent to the site. This tiered design reduces the building's footprint while providing each apartment with a southern orientation. Such positioning maximizes natural light, benefiting residents throughout the day. The incorporation of water features complements the topography, showcasing a careful engagement with the landscape.

Pond Integration

Ponds are an essential part of the design, serving both aesthetic and practical functions. They are placed in front of each apartment and help define the distinction between public and private spaces. The varying sizes of the ponds enhance the living experience. Larger ponds foster privacy, while smaller ones allow for social engagement. This design encourages a connection between residents and their environment.

Community Spaces

Augua includes various shared facilities, like a restaurant, workshop, and coworking and yoga studio. These spaces are intended to promote community interaction and enhance the quality of life for residents. Their arrangement is strategic, creating opportunities for social interactions while ensuring essential amenities are easily accessible. This design cultivates a sense of belonging among residents.

Sustainability Commitment

A commitment to sustainability is evident in Augua's emphasis on locally sourced materials. While specific materials are not mentioned, this approach aligns with goals to reduce environmental impact and support local economies. Rainwater is collected from inclined roofs to supply the ponds, highlighting efficient resource use and environmental awareness.

At the heart of Augua is a design that merges living spaces with nature, where the arrangement of ponds and terraces offers residents both tranquility and a connection to their surroundings.

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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

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