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Vertical Gardens and Expansive Glass Create a Community Hub in Reinforced Concrete Structure

Author:
Michelle Chedraui
Vertical Gardens and Expansive Glass Create a Community Hub in Reinforced Concrete Structure

Project in-detail

The integration of vertical gardens and expansive glass within a reinforced concrete structure defines a new community hub that enhances urban interaction and sustainability.
5 key facts about this project
01
Vertical gardens enhance air quality while providing aesthetic appeal throughout the building.
02
The façade features large glass panels, optimizing natural light and visibility in workspaces.
03
An integrated plaza encourages community interaction and pedestrian engagement at the ground level.
04
Reinforced concrete construction emphasizes durability while allowing for intricate design detailing.
05
Natural ventilation strategies reduce energy consumption and improve indoor air quality.

### Project Overview
**Location:** 1044 Northeast 2nd Ave, Miami, FL, USA
Vault 1044 is a modern architectural endeavor that integrates the aesthetic traditions of Miami's Art Deco style with the historic built environment of Downtown Miami. The design aims to create a meaningful dialogue between the region's architectural heritage and contemporary design approaches.

### Spatial Organization and User Engagement
The spatial strategy of Vault 1044 differentiates between office and retail/entertainment spaces. Office areas are situated vertically to maximize natural light and views, complemented by balconies that connect to vertical gardens, offering occupants private outdoor areas. Retail and entertainment functions occupy the horizontal plane, designed to encourage community interaction and maintain accessibility. The ground level features an active plaza that serves as a pedestrian hub, promoting foot traffic and vibrant public engagement.

### Materiality and Sustainability
The building employs a robust material palette, with reinforced concrete providing structural integrity, while a smooth cast concrete façade establishes a modern aesthetic. Expansive glass panels enhance transparency and facilitate interaction with the surrounding environment. A vertical garden system integrates greenery into the design, improving air quality and fostering a connection with nature. The incorporation of natural ventilation strategies reduces the need for mechanical systems, aligning with sustainability objectives and promoting biodiversity within the urban 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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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