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Vertical Hydroponic Gardens Integrated Within Charred Wooden Shingles for Sustainable Urban Living

Authors:
Lev Jacob Libeskind, Giulio Emiliano Miliotti, Iryna Dobrova, Zachary Aaron Cohen
Vertical Hydroponic Gardens Integrated Within Charred Wooden Shingles for Sustainable Urban Living

Project in-detail

Incorporating vertical hydroponic gardens and charred wooden shingles, the design maximizes urban space utility while fostering sustainable community living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates modular units that can adapt to changing community needs.
02
Features integrated hydroponic systems for urban agriculture.
03
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and aesthetics.
04
Uses cross-laminated timber panels for efficient lightweight construction.
05
Includes dual-purpose bomb shelters designed within communal spaces.

The Kharkiv Housing Challenge Competition seeks to revitalize areas impacted by conflict while improving community living standards in Kharkiv, Ukraine. The project employs a modular design strategy that emphasizes adaptability and resilience within the urban environment, addressing contemporary housing challenges through a community-oriented framework. The design integrates multifunctional spaces to enhance both social interaction and preparedness for varying circumstances.

### Modular Design and Community Interaction
The core concept revolves around a modular framework that allows for flexible configurations suited to diverse residential and communal requirements. Each module is designed to capitalize on verticality and openness, maximizing natural light and ventilation. This design approach not only accommodates individual needs but also fosters community engagement through open, shared areas. The inclusion of strategic dual-purpose spaces, such as community areas that can serve as bomb shelters, reflects an awareness of the socio-political context and contributes to the dual functionality of the architecture.

### Material and Structural Considerations
Material choices focus on durability, functionality, and environmental responsibility. Key components include expansive glass facades that promote transparency and connection to the surroundings, reinforced concrete for foundational stability, and a modular steel framework that enhances the building's prefabrication potential. Sustainability measures are integrated into the design, featuring vertical hydroponic gardens and systems for rainwater harvesting. These not only support food production but also illustrate a commitment to ecological stewardship and resource management within the urban landscape.

The project exemplifies an innovative approach to housing that prioritizes both individual and community needs through thoughtful design and material selection, contributing to a holistic urban recovery strategy.

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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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