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Solar-Powered Living With Rooftop Parks and Community Gardens

Authors:
Cass Smith, Frank Yang
Solar-Powered Living With Rooftop Parks and Community Gardens

Project in-detail

Elevated above a busy transit hub, the mixed-use development integrates solar panels, wind turbines, and a rooftop park with community gardens to provide affordable housing and foster social interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Affordable housing integrated above a podium slab to maximize views and light.
02
Full-height central atrium enhances natural ventilation and communal comfort.
03
On-site daycare facility, Skycare, supports families within the community.
04
Rooftop park includes a running track and open-air sculpture garden.
05
Sustainability achieved through solar panels and wind turbines for net-zero energy.

The MIX aims to reshape affordable housing in San Francisco's Outer Mission district. Close to the Balboa Park BART station, the location takes advantage of the available transport options, meeting the growing need for accessible homes. The design consists of a tower sitting above a podium slab, which helps maximize natural light, offers passive ventilation, and provides residents with impressive views.

Community Integration

The ground-level design focuses on fostering community by including retail spaces like grocery stores and cafés. These areas create a lively environment where residents and visitors can interact. Such a setting is important in urban life, where commercial and residential areas blend and support each other.



Outdoor Spaces

On the podium level, the design includes a one-acre linear park and community garden. These green spaces enhance the living experience, offering outdoor areas for recreation and socializing. By integrating nature into daily life, the design aims to improve well-being and encourage connections among residents.



Architectural Features

An important element of the tower is the full-height central atrium. This feature allows for ample natural light and passive ventilation, improving the comfort of communal areas. Beyond its practical functions, the atrium also adds visual interest to the interior.



Rooftop Amenities

The upper levels provide sweeping views, highlighted by an open-air sculpture garden on the 13th floor. This space allows residents to relax and reflect. The rooftop park also features recreational facilities, including a running track, which promotes physical activity. Additionally, the design incorporates sustainable features, such as solar panels and wind turbines, aiming to achieve net-zero energy use.



The design of The MIX is characterized by its thoughtful organization and attention to detail. By balancing public and private spaces, it seeks to create a cohesive environment that meets the needs of its residents.

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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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