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Sustainable Green Spaces with Glass Facades and Sun Breakers

Authors:
Marah Altarawneh, Nawras Almasri
Sustainable Green Spaces with Glass Facades and Sun Breakers

Project in-detail

The integration of permeable facades and sun breakers enhances environmental efficiency in a dual-tower complex that promotes both community interaction and sustainable urban living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Integration of circulation ribbons enhances accessibility throughout the towers.
02
Central public area designed for community gatherings and events.
03
Green Pockets create designated common spaces for social interaction.
04
Extensive landscaping incorporates urban farming and gardens.
05
Atria maximize natural light and ventilation within the towers.

The SkyHaven project represents a thoughtful approach to revitalizing abandoned structures in Amman, Jordan, particularly the Jordan Gate Towers. The design combines living and working spaces, transforming previously unused areas into vibrant parts of the community. By incorporating new functions, the project aims to encourage local interaction and restore a sense of belonging in a neighborhood that has faced challenges.

Concept and Fragmentation

The main idea behind this design focuses on The Engine, a reimagined heavy podium that now acts as a public park. This space hosts urban farming and markets, creating opportunities for celebration and connection. The towers are intentionally fragmented, allowing each to express its own identity. One tower is arranged for formal work functions, while the other takes on a more organic form to support residential living.

Circulation and Connectivity

Movement through the design is enhanced by two circulation ribbons that wrap around the towers. These ribbons meet at important points, such as entrances and gathering spaces, allowing people to navigate easily. The winding paths lead to seating areas surrounded by landscaping, creating a friendly atmosphere. The design emphasizes a central area where community members can come together, fostering everyday social interactions.

Landscape and Environmental Integration

Landscaping is a vital component of the project, with urban parks and gardens integrated throughout the terraces. Atria have been added within the towers to promote natural light and fresh air, improving indoor comfort. Sun breakers manage heat from sunlight, while a permeable facade allows for ventilation. This focus on the environment helps create pleasant living and working spaces that feel connected to nature.

Co-Working and Community Living

SkyHaven establishes clear areas for working and living, presenting a new framework for urban life. Vertical shifts in the towers create Green Pockets, designated common areas that offer a buffer between spaces. These zones encourage interaction among residents and workers alike. This structure rethinks the balance between work and home life in Amman, aiming to facilitate harmony within the urban landscape.

Amid the design, the central public space is crafted to encourage gathering and celebration. This area is not just a pathway but a focal point for community activities, reinforcing the project’s aim of revitalizing urban life and enhancing connections among people.

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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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