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Timber Framework Creating Micro-Communities in Urban Spaces

Author:
Cody Bailey
Timber Framework Creating Micro-Communities in Urban Spaces

Project in-detail

Incorporating timber columns and a vibrant cultural center, the design fosters micro-communities while seamlessly integrating residential and commercial spaces in a dynamic urban setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Use of timber columns provides both structural support and a warm aesthetic.
02
Cultural center at the base enhances community engagement and accessibility.
03
Open floor plans encourage social interaction and flexibility in usage.
04
Integration of green elements promotes a connection to nature throughout the building.
05
Public park adjacent to the skyscraper enhances recreational space in the urban environment.

Roosevelt Gardens is a new skyscraper located in the South Loop of Chicago, designed to enhance community interaction in the urban landscape. The design integrates residential and commercial spaces, allowing people to live and work in close proximity. This approach encourages a sense of belonging and fosters vibrant community connections. The building's layout features a mix of residential and commercial floors, creating an environment where social engagement is part of daily life.

Architectural Composition

The design prioritizes open floor layouts, wide staircases, and spacious hallways. These features create areas that can accommodate many people, promoting interaction among residents and visitors. By fostering such spaces, the layout enhances the experience of community living. Different communal amenities are distributed throughout the building, transforming it into a center for social activities and shared experiences.

Cultural Center

A cultural center occupies the base of the skyscraper, serving as a key element of community life. This facility offers various amenities like study tables, classrooms, lounges, and dining areas. The cultural center is open to both residents and the general public, reinforcing its role as a community asset. Such spaces facilitate diverse activities and promote engagement among occupants and visitors.

Sustainability and Materiality

Timber plays a significant role in the building's construction. The use of timber columns provides structural support while allowing for flexible design layouts. This choice reflects a commitment to sustainable practices and contributes positively to the interior environment. The materials used enhance not only the strength of the structure but also its visual character.

Biophilic Integration

The project incorporates elements of biophilic design, which promotes a connection to nature. Green features, such as trees and climbing plants, are integrated into both the exterior and interior spaces. This presence of vegetation enriches the environment, benefiting the well-being of residents. Living architecture evolves over time, fostering an ongoing relationship between the building and its users, while enhancing the sensory experience.

The addition of a public green park next to the skyscraper creates more recreational space and connects with the existing Roosevelt Park. This landscape element encourages people to interact with nature and their surroundings, further enhancing the community's sense of place and belonging.

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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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