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Reimagining Waste with Community Engagement and Resource Conversion

Authors:
Melvin Wong, Nicholas junyuan Lim, Kai jiunn Chng
Reimagining Waste with Community Engagement and Resource Conversion

Project in-detail

Integrating food waste processing and community engagement, the skyscraper promotes resource conversion at the heart of urban life, redefining sustainable waste management in Singapore.
5 key facts about this project
01
Integrates multiple waste management technologies within a single skyscraper design.
02
Features public access galleries to foster community understanding of waste processing.
03
Employs a holistic approach to waste conversion, turning waste into usable resources.
04
Includes dedicated areas for food waste processing and community cooking studios.
05
Promotes a culture of sustainability through active resident engagement in waste initiatives.

Project Zero is an initiative located in Singapore that focuses on urban waste management with the design of a skyscraper aimed at integrating sustainable practices into daily life. The project seeks to change how people view waste, transforming it from something to throw away into a valuable resource. By placing waste management at the center of urban living, it supports the concept of a circular economy, promoting efficient waste processing and interaction among community members.

Design Concept

The main idea of Project Zero is to convert waste into usable materials. This approach challenges the common methods of incineration and landfilling seen in Singapore. The design encourages a blend of waste management into everyday life, promoting a culture of sustainability among residents. The skyscraper serves as a vertical example of waste management, featuring various facilities that treat both organic and inorganic materials.

Functional Integration

The layout of Project Zero is carefully arranged to support various waste processing technologies. It includes dedicated spaces for food waste processing and educational facilities, like a cooking studio, where community members can learn about sustainable practices. This thoughtful integration enhances how the building works and strongly emphasizes public involvement in managing waste.

Materiality and Resource Utilization

Although specific materials are not mentioned in the design, the intention is clear: to use repurposed waste as a significant resource. This goal aligns with sustainability principles and aims to reduce environmental impact. By focusing on reusing materials, Project Zero highlights how architecture can positively impact the ecosystem while addressing urban waste challenges.

Architectural Expression

The structure of Project Zero showcases a modern vision for urban living, emphasizing the importance of design in shaping how people understand waste. The skyscraper is a symbol of the community’s approach to waste management. Its vertical design serves practical needs and visually represents the significance of resource management in contemporary urban settings.

Inside the building, public galleries allow residents to engage with waste management efforts. These spaces encourage community participation, helping people connect with sustainable practices and better understand waste processing systems.

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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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