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Smartglass Façade and Flexible Walls in a Sustainable Urban Office Environment

Author:
Klaudia Szczecińska
Smartglass Façade and Flexible Walls in a Sustainable Urban Office Environment

Project in-detail

With a smartglass façade and adaptable interior walls, the design fosters a flexible and collaborative workspace, seamlessly integrating sustainable features such as rainwater harvesting and solar energy solutions within an urban environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes smartglass to optimize light control and energy efficiency.
02
Features adaptable partitions that allow for dynamic workspace configurations.
03
Incorporates rainwater harvesting for sustainable resource management.
04
Employs solar panels integrated into the roof design for energy generation.
05
Creates communal areas that enhance social interaction and collaboration.

### Project Overview

Located on Gajowa Street in Poznań, Poland, the design is situated near a public park and within a 15-minute walk from the main station. This office building responds to the shifting demands of contemporary work environments by promoting flexibility, adaptability, and a balance between personal and professional life. The design prioritizes user experience while integrating sustainable practices, contributing positively to the urban context.

### Architectural Form and Spatial Organization

The building features a contemporary cubic form, defined by extensive glass façades complemented by a grid of vertical white structural elements. This approach facilitates ample natural light within the workspaces and encourages visual connections with the surrounding environment. The ground level houses amenities such as a reception area, coffee shop, and flexible working spaces, creating a welcoming hub for occupants and visitors. The upper floors accommodate a mix of collaborative and private workspaces, including offices, multi-use meeting rooms, and informal discussion areas, effectively addressing diverse working styles.

### Sustainability and Materiality

The design incorporates sustainable features such as solar panels to harness renewable energy and a rainwater harvesting system for cooling, enhancing resource management and energy efficiency. The material palette includes extensive use of glass for its daylight-optimizing properties, smartglass technology that controls glare while maintaining privacy, and concrete for structural durability, providing a robust contrast to the transparent elements. Additionally, wood is employed in interior spaces to evoke warmth and comfort, contributing to an inviting atmosphere.

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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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