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Urban Forest Integration Featuring Natural Stone and Glass in Residential Development

Authors:
Armando Vargas Garcia Figueroa, Edoardo Cairoli, Stefan Pressijanov Marinov
Urban Forest Integration Featuring Natural Stone and Glass in Residential Development

Project in-detail

Incorporating an urban forest alongside a façade of natural stone and expansive glass, the development offers a contemporary solution to housing that fosters community interaction in a densely populated environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates an urban forest that serves as a communal gathering space.
02
Utilizes a façade of natural stone to harmonize with the historical context of Milan.
03
Features extensive glass panels to enhance natural light and minimize energy consumption.
04
Design promotes spatial connectivity through strategically placed outdoor terraces.
05
Affordable residential units are integrated with public amenities on the ground floor.

## Overview

Located in Milan, Italy, this urban housing project addresses the increasing challenges of residential living in densely populated city environments. With the initiative titled “Why is living in Milan so exhausting?”, the design aims to foster an equitable and sustainable residential experience that enhances urban resilience while contributing positively to the existing urban context.

## Spatial Organization

The design incorporates an innovative urban forest concept, transforming space beneath the residential units into a public communal area that promotes physical connectivity and social interaction among residents. The layout consists of a layered arrangement of residential units:

- **First Floor**: Dedicated to public amenities, providing easy access from the street.
- **Second Floor to Roof Floor**: Housing a diverse range of residential apartments, each equipped with outdoor terraces that offer panoramic views. Hallways are strategically designed to facilitate social engagement among residents, serving as active pathways that encourage community interactions.

## Materiality and Aesthetic Integration

The materials selected for this project reflect a commitment to durability and sustainable practices while aligning with Milan's historic architectural context:

- **Reinforced Concrete**: Provides a strong structural base, allowing for flexibility in design.
- **Glass Windows**: Enhance natural light entry, contributing to energy efficiency and offering views of the urban landscape.
- **Steel Balustrades**: Incorporate safety features while facilitating outdoor living.
- **Natural Stone Facade**: Connects the new structures to the existing historic architecture, maintaining a cohesive aesthetic within the urban environment.
- **Vegetative Elements**: Integrated greenery signifies an adherence to biophilic design principles, enriching both the visual and ecological quality of the project.

Collectively, these design elements create a cohesive architectural language that respects the historical landscape while introducing modern living solutions.

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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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