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Recycled Steel and Concrete Tower with Photovoltaic Roof Integration

Authors:
Megi Davitidze, Annamaria Chelidze, Fadri Horber
Recycled Steel and Concrete Tower with Photovoltaic Roof Integration

Project in-detail

With a distinctive sloped roof that integrates photovoltaic panels, the recycled steel and concrete tower provides an energy-efficient landmark designed for community engagement and exploration.
5 key facts about this project
01
Recycled steel structure minimizes environmental impact.
02
Concrete piles provide robust anchorage in a remote setting.
03
Unique sloped roof optimizes solar energy collection.
04
Hanging staircase enhances visitor experience and interaction.
05
Irregular platform placement offers diverse visual perspectives.

The architectural design establishes a notable landmark that connects well with its environment. Located in a remote area, the structure aims to engage visitors through its unique arrangement of spaces. The overall design concept revolves around the idea of a "pretentious object" that invites exploration while fulfilling both functional and aesthetic needs.

Conceptual Framework

The design features various spatial components, each serving a distinct function that enhances the overall experience. At its base, the solid groundwork uses concrete to provide stability and a sense of permanence. Above this heavy foundation, a lighter upper structure emerges, creating a visual contrast. This combination of weight and levity draws attention to the building’s form while serving practical purposes.

Spatial Dynamics

A prominent feature of the structure is the hanging staircase. This element aids vertical movement and encourages interaction with the space. Visitors can ascend while taking in different viewpoints of both the tower and the landscape surrounding it. Moreover, the design includes platforms placed at irregular intervals, offering diverse visual experiences as individuals navigate through the building.

Sustainable Features

The roof is notable for its distinctive sloped design, which supports photovoltaic panels that cover about 50% of its surface area. With an incline of 46.5 degrees, the roof is designed to maximize energy collection throughout the day. This focus on sustainability aligns well with the remote location, highlighting the project’s commitment to energy efficiency and self-sufficiency.

Materials and Structural Integrity

Concrete and recycled steel play important roles in the structure. The concrete foundation offers robust support and enhances the visual weight, while the recycled steel used in the superstructure supports environmental goals. The building’s stability is achieved through concrete piles driven into the ground, complemented by a concrete elevator shaft that serves as the core. I-Beams and HSS columns make up the framework, ensuring that the structure is strong while allowing for efficient prefabrication that speeds up construction.

The hanging staircase features precise detailing, with clean lines and minimalist design. It draws visitors upward while framing views of the landscape in an engaging way.

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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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