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Vertical Gardens and Natural Ventilation in a Concrete Urban Residence

Vertical Gardens and Natural Ventilation in a Concrete Urban Residence
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Employing a modular design with shifted volumes and integrated vertical gardens, the residence enhances urban living through natural ventilation and private outdoor spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes vertical gardens to enhance biodiversity and air quality within the urban setting.
02
Incorporates shifted volumes that create dynamic spatial experiences and varied room orientations.
03
Features generous balconies designed as private outdoor extensions of each living unit.
04
Employs a combination of concrete and timber, ensuring structural integrity while promoting warmth.
05
Includes a central communal square to foster social interaction among residents.

## Project Overview

The Ndarja project is situated in Tirana, Albania, and aims to address the contemporary challenges of urban living through innovative architectural solutions. The design embraces the integration of natural elements, creating a connection between indoor and outdoor environments. By employing fragmented volumes and strategic openings, the project emphasizes aesthetic coherence while promoting social interaction and ecological awareness.

## Spatial Organization and User Experience

Central to the Ndarja design is the concept of creating spaces that offer residents opportunities for relaxation and connection. The arrangement features stacked and shifted volumes that encourage natural light and ventilation. This spatial strategy fosters unique balcony designs, allowing for variability in size and orientation. These outdoor spaces not only facilitate personal gardens and urban gardening but also enhance communal living by providing areas for social engagement among residents.

The architectural layout emphasizes accessibility and circulation, ensuring smooth movement throughout the building and easy access to a communal central square. This hub serves as a focal point for social interaction, further promoting community among residents while integrating tasteful landscaping elements that enhance the overall living experience.

## Material Collaboration and Environmental Integration

Material selection plays a pivotal role in the architectural expression of the Ndarja project. The use of concrete as the primary structural material ensures durability, while glass elements facilitate transparency and connectivity with the surrounding environment. Wood accents contribute warmth, and the incorporation of vegetation emphasizes the project's commitment to biophilic design principles.

The integration of vertical gardens and greenery on balconies enhances both the aesthetic appeal and environmental sustainability of the building. This biophilic approach not only improves air quality but also contributes positively to the microclimate surrounding the structure, reinforcing the design's ecological considerations.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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