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Skeletal Structure with Glass Façades Enhancing Urban Interaction

Authors:
Christine Espinosa erlanda, Refaad sulttan Sha, Piyush Prajapati, Shayan Firdosy
Skeletal Structure with Glass Façades Enhancing Urban Interaction

Project in-detail

Elevated on skeletal lift shafts, the building's transparent glass façades create a connection with the urban environment, offering versatile multifunctional spaces for users and fostering community interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated structure enhances natural light and views of the city.
02
Skeletal design allows for flexible interior layouts.
03
Glass façades create a strong visual connection with the surroundings.
04
Lift shafts reinforce the theme of transparency and instability.
05
Engages diverse user groups through communal spaces and accessibility.

An innovative skyscraper design is reshaping its urban environment, focusing on blending functionality with a strong cultural presence. Located in a vibrant city, the structure aims to be a multifunctional space for a variety of users, including cultural visitors and local residents. It challenges traditional ideas about skyscrapers by highlighting their role as symbols of identity and power.

Conceptual Framework

At its core, the design explores the historical journey of skyscrapers, shifting from mere structures to significant city elements. The concept draws on the metaphor of "Siren Head," portraying the skyscraper as a prominent feature that demands attention and shapes its surroundings. This perspective encourages a deeper understanding of how tall buildings can influence urban experiences.

Spatial Design and User Engagement

The design employs a minimalist approach, marked by clear lines and noticeable height. It prioritizes the relationship between space and user involvement, creating an inviting atmosphere. Various groups, from tourists to professionals, are considered, ensuring the building encourages social interaction and connectivity among its users.

Structural Elements

A distinctive skeletal structure elevates the building on lift shafts. This choice introduces themes of transparency and stability while using concrete, steel, and glass. Concrete offers durability to support the height, while steel provides strength for the slender framework. Glass façades allow natural light into the interior and foster a visual link with the city outside.

Adaptability and Functionality

Adaptability stands out as a main theme, allowing the building to serve multiple purposes and respond to community needs. This flexibility transforms the skyscraper into a space that meets changing social dynamics, emphasizing the importance of user experience.

The design incorporates open communal areas within its layout. This fosters a sense of belonging among users and provides intimate views of the surroundings. These architectural details highlight the building’s role as a new type of skyscraper—one focused on meaningful interactions and connections within the urban landscape.

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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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