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Timber Towers With Undulating Facades Enhancing Urban Community Connectivity

Author:
Olav Van der doorn
Timber Towers With Undulating Facades Enhancing Urban Community Connectivity

Project in-detail

Four vertical towers with transparent, undulating facades of solid timber create a modern neighbourhood that integrates public spaces and services to foster community connectivity and affordable living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Four towers are designed with transparent, undulating facades.
02
Solid timber construction enhances sustainability awareness.
03
Public spaces are integrated within the building for community interaction.
04
Vertical arrangement promotes efficient use of urban footprint.
05
Flexible modules accommodate diverse residential and service needs.

The 8x8 neighbourhood addresses the urgent need for affordable housing in urban areas with growing populations. Located in a densely populated setting, the design combines residential and community functions. It introduces a three-dimensional layout that integrates mixed-use plans, focusing on enhancing both living spaces and shared environments.

Design Approach

The neighbourhood consists of four vertical towers, each featuring transparent facades that undulate and shift in shape. This design choice exposes the solid timber construction, making the structure's material an integral part of its visual identity. The clarity of the design not only highlights the timber but also brings awareness to the principles of sustainability in modern building practices.

Public Integration

Public spaces and services are embedded within the towers, creating a lively hub for social and economic activities. These communal areas invite interaction among residents, enhancing the community feel in an urban context. This integration aims to balance private living with public engagement, fostering a sense of belonging among those who live and work in the area.

Mixed-Use Functionality

The emphasis on mixed-use functionality allows the design to accommodate various activities and services in close proximity. Flexible spaces cater to the needs of residents, making daily living more convenient. Additionally, there are public areas located within the building block's core, which encourage gatherings and social exchanges, enriching the community experience.

Vertical Expression

The arrangement of the towers not only provides a distinctive skyline but also influences how light interacts with the surfaces. As sunlight moves across the facades, it creates changing patterns of light and shade. This detail adds depth to the overall visual experience, connecting people to the architecture and the spaces they inhabit. The thoughtful design invites exploration, allowing individuals to engage with their surroundings in a meaningful way.

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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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