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Vegetable Gardens and Recycled Tires Drive Sustainable Community Living

Author:
Nicoletta Nowakowska
Vegetable Gardens and Recycled Tires Drive Sustainable Community Living

Project in-detail

Incorporating vegetable gardens and a rainwater collection system, the design embraces recycled materials like tires to create a sustainable living environment that fosters community engagement and artistic expression.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates a self-sufficient rainwater collection system for irrigation.
02
Features integrated vegetable gardens promoting local food production.
03
Uses recycled materials, including old tires, in construction.
04
Adapts existing structures for cultural and artistic use.
05
Designed with large glazed areas to enhance natural light and connection to nature.

Gaudi’s Village represents a thoughtful blend of architecture and nature, focusing on creating a vibrant community space. It is designed to serve multiple functions, including a hostel, residences for artists, and collaborative workspaces. The overall design pulls inspiration from the organic shapes found in nature, promoting connection among residents and their surroundings.

Design Concept

The architecture is characterized by fluid forms that mimic the natural landscape. These shapes are not only visually appealing but also enhance the feeling of togetherness within the community. The layout promotes social interaction, encouraging residents to engage with one another in open spaces that foster creativity and collaboration.

Sustainability Integration

Sustainability plays a key role in the design of the village. An independent rainwater collection system provides essential water resources, demonstrating a commitment to self-sufficiency. The use of a wind turbine for power generation reduces reliance on conventional energy sources, promoting a greener approach to everyday living.

Community-Centric Spaces

The design encourages a strong sense of community through shared spaces. Each section of the village features vegetable gardens that offer residents opportunities to grow their own food and interact. Existing buildings have been adapted to serve cultural functions, including theatres and music venues. These spaces not only enrich the social fabric of the village but also preserve the historical significance of the site.

Material Usage

Natural materials such as earth, wood, glass, and recycled items like old tires are incorporated into the design. This choice reflects the project's ecological focus and complements its overall aesthetic. The use of these materials supports durability and blends well with the natural environment.

Large glass areas invite sunlight into the common spaces, encouraging a connection between the indoor activities and the natural surroundings. As residents move through the village, they experience a constant dialogue between the built environment and the landscape.

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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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