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Vertical Gardens and Natural Ventilation in A Concrete Urban Residence

Author:
Ana Sofia Gomes Leite De Oliveira Fernandes
Vertical Gardens and Natural Ventilation in A Concrete Urban Residence

Project in-detail

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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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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