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Tunnel-Like Structure Enhancing Traffic Flow in Urban Community

Author:
Salah Alhweiriny
Tunnel-Like Structure Enhancing Traffic Flow in Urban Community

Project in-detail

A tunnel-like structure seamlessly integrates traffic flow with urban living, transforming underutilized spaces into vibrant community environments.
5 key facts about this project
01
Tunnel structure enhances traffic flow while integrating urban elements.
02
Design minimizes dead space by transforming transit areas into usable environments.
03
Community spaces include child-friendly areas promoting engagement and interaction.
04
Site orientation optimizes natural light and energy efficiency for residents.
05
Proximity to the King Abdullah Financial City Centre supports urban connectivity.

EXIT 3 is located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, focusing on the challenges of highway exits and their transitions into main streets. The design aims to make better use of urban areas that are often seen as wasted space. By reimagining these spaces, the design enhances connectivity, creating environments that are not only functional but also beneficial to the community. The main streets are envisioned as tunnel-like structures that can handle traffic while allowing for new developments, significantly reducing interruptions in flow.

Design Concept

The concept of EXIT 3 revolves around reworking these transitional areas that frequently go unnoticed. It proposes to transform these spaces into accessible urban environments that improve the overall functionality of the area. The design employs strategies that prioritize smooth movement and connectivity, looking to change how infrastructure interacts with people in the city.

Site Analysis

A comprehensive site analysis supports the project, considering important elements like the Summer and Winter Sun Paths. This information helps determine the best orientation for buildings, ensuring ample natural light and energy efficiency. The site’s location near significant urban sites, such as the King Abdullah Financial City Centre, reinforces the project's relevance within the broader context of Riyadh’s urban landscape.

Programmatic Layout

The layout of EXIT 3 is intended to meet a variety of community needs. It includes residential, commercial, and hospitality spaces, creating a diverse environment. Residential areas feature well-designed living spaces that encourage community interaction. Additionally, the project incorporates hotels, offices, and retail spaces, fostering a lively urban setting where businesses and residences coexist.

Functional Details

The design pays close attention to practical details within the interiors. Each unit features important amenities like lobbies, living rooms, and kitchens, which contribute to a comfortable living experience. There are also elevators and staircases to ensure easy movement within the buildings. Mini-markets and children's play areas enhance the livability of the residential sections, showing the commitment to creating an engaging and connected community space.

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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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