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Vertical Gardens and Recycled Concrete Enhance Sustainable Urban Living

Authors:
Chia-chin Lee, Ting-wei Yang
Vertical Gardens and Recycled Concrete Enhance Sustainable Urban Living

Project in-detail

Incorporating vertical gardens and using recycled concrete, this residential development promotes sustainable living while fostering community interaction through thoughtfully designed communal spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular living units enhance adaptability for diverse needs.
02
Vertical gardens improve air quality and aesthetics.
03
Natural light integration minimizes energy consumption effectively.
04
Communal outdoor spaces foster resident social interaction.
05
Faceted glass panels reflect the urban environment visually.

The Milan Affordable Housing project embodies a thoughtful response to the growing need for affordable living solutions in urban environments. This architectural initiative addresses contemporary housing challenges by promoting community, sustainability, and flexibility in design. The project focuses on creating multi-functional living spaces that can adapt to various needs, ensuring housing remains accessible to a diverse population.

Design and Functionality

This project integrates innovative architectural approaches that redefine urban living. The arrangement consists of modular living units built around shared amenities, facilitating interaction among residents. Each unit is designed with an emphasis on efficient use of space, combining private living areas with communal functions—such as gardens, social lounges, and shared kitchens. This layout fosters a sense of community while ensuring that residents have the privacy they need.

Key architectural elements include:

- Modular Configuration: The design incorporates interchangeable units that allow for customization, enhancing the adaptability of living spaces based on changing demographics and individual preferences. - Green Integration: The project features vertical gardens and green roofs, contributing to improved air quality and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the building while promoting biodiversity. - Sustainable Materials: The use of recycled concrete and sustainably sourced wood elements emphasizes a commitment to environmentally friendly construction practices.

Unique Design Approaches

One notable aspect of this project is its focus on stress-free living through architectural design. The integration of natural light and airflow in unit layouts minimizes reliance on artificial heating and cooling, reducing energy consumption. The modular design enables easy reconfiguration of spaces, accommodating different household sizes and compositions without substantial renovations.

Another innovative feature is the incorporation of communal outdoor spaces that blend seamlessly with private units. These areas encourage social interaction, supporting community engagement amongst residents, which is often lacking in traditional urban housing models. The design seeks to create an inclusive environment, making residents feel part of a larger community while enjoying the benefits of private living.

Architectural Details and Technical Aspects

The building’s façade is characterized by faceted glass panels that reflect the surrounding environment, creating an inviting visual connection with the urban landscape. These materials not only enhance energy efficiency but also optimize natural light penetration, creating a more pleasant interior climate.

The structural framework is composed of steel, providing necessary reinforcement while allowing for flexible spatial configurations. Carefully planned circulation routes ensure easy movement within the building, enhancing accessibility for all residents.

The project serves as a model for future urban housing developments by balancing affordability with high-quality design. It exemplifies how architecture can address social challenges while integrating sustainable practices.

For a comprehensive overview of this innovative housing solution, explore architectural plans, sections, and designs that delve deeper into the conceptual underpinnings and execution of this project. Engage with these architectural ideas to appreciate the full scope and impact of the Milan Affordable Housing project.

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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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