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Rooftop Gardens and Resourceful Waste Upcycling in Elevated Urban Living

Authors:
Therese Skevik, Katarzyna Starczewska, Hana Shibu, Erik Odqvist
Rooftop Gardens and Resourceful Waste Upcycling in Elevated Urban Living

Project in-detail

Elevated urban living is redefined through the integration of rooftop gardens and effective waste upcycling, creating a sustainable community environment that thrives on resourcefulness.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated living spaces utilize existing urban structures for resource efficiency.
02
Rooftop gardens enhance local biodiversity and promote community interaction.
03
Waste from the lower city is transformed into compost for sustainable gardening.
04
Energy consumption is optimized through smart resource management strategies.
05
Grey water systems provide essential water resources while minimizing waste.

Waste Invaders is situated in an urban landscape burdened by wasteful consumption and excess materials. The project aims to confront these challenges through the innovative use of repurposed resources. By establishing a new living space above the existing city infrastructure, it seeks to create a balance between livability and environmental responsibility. The design encourages a sense of community while focusing on sustainable urban practices.

Conceptual Framework

The model uses a layered approach, with the new city positioned above an older, waste-centric environment. This vertical design takes advantage of underutilized areas, turning them into productive spaces. Waste is no longer seen as a burden but as a resource to tap into. Residents are encouraged to engage with their environment, emphasizing a shift in how urban spaces are perceived and utilized.

Resource Management

Recycling and upcycling are central to the vision of Waste Invaders. Organic waste is transformed into compost for gardens situated on rooftops, helping to promote local biodiversity. This design integrates green spaces into the urban fabric, allowing for social connections among residents and fostering a community engaged in environmental practices that benefit their neighborhood.

Energy and Water Efficiency

Energy management is crucial in this design, focusing on reducing electricity consumption. The aim is to allocate resources effectively based on individual household needs, thereby creating a self-sufficient living environment. Water systems that recycle grey water are included as well. This approach minimizes waste while ensuring that residents have access to necessary resources, reinforcing the idea of responsible living in an urban setting.

Architectural Synergy

Specific materials are not listed in the presentation, yet the emphasis lies on the practical aspects of the space configurations. The design intertwines ecological strategies with everyday living. The narrative culminates in a vision where waste from the older city below serves as a foundation for a sustainable new community above. It highlights a continuous cycle of resource recovery, which is essential for future urban developments.

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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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