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Vertical Gardens and Community Spaces Within Historic Gasometers of Venice

Authors:
Maura Bosin, Francesco Oddo, Michele Ganzarolli
Vertical Gardens and Community Spaces Within Historic Gasometers of Venice

Project in-detail

Nestled within the historic gasometers of Venice, a design integrating vertical gardens and modular living units creates a cohesive community space dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for elderly residents.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular living units promote flexibility and personalization for residents.
02
Vertical gardens enhance biodiversity and provide personal gardening opportunities.
03
Integration of market spaces fosters connections between residents and local producers.
04
Designed within historic gasometers, preserving the architectural heritage of Venice.
05
Accessibility features include wide ramps and user-friendly spaces for ease of movement.

### Overview

The project is located within the repurposed gasometers in the Castello district of Venice, an area characterized by its rich historical context and urban density. This initiative addresses the increasing demand for senior living accommodations amid the challenges posed by urban development and tourism. By situating the living spaces within historic industrial structures, the design aims to preserve the heritage of the site while providing modern amenities tailored to the needs of the elderly population.

### Material Selection and Structural Design

The architectural approach incorporates a variety of materials to ensure durability and comfort. Concrete serves as the primary structural element, providing resilience, while wood is utilized in community spaces to contribute warmth to the environment. Glass elements enhance natural lighting, facilitating a connection between interior spaces and the outdoor landscape. The building's circular and modular layout promotes social engagement through open communal areas, including a library, fitness center, and dining facilities. Additionally, vertical gardens on the roof and integrated planting systems support biodiversity and offer residents opportunities for personal cultivation.

### Community-Centric Spaces

Designed with a focus on communal living, the project includes shared amenities such as gardens, craft labs, libraries, and dining areas to foster social interaction among residents. Dedicated spaces for activities tailored to the elderly, such as fitness and art programs, enhance overall well-being and creativity. The open ground floor, which features a market area promoting local produce and community connections, serves as a nexus for interaction, linking residents to the vibrancy of Venice while ensuring accessibility through inclusive design elements like ramp access.

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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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