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Vertical Louvers and Mesh Screens Enhancing Urban Farming and Community Living

Authors:
Varun Sharma, Austin Lightle
Vertical Louvers and Mesh Screens Enhancing Urban Farming and Community Living

Project in-detail

Utilizing vertical louvers and mesh screens, the design enhances natural light and privacy while integrating urban farming to create a sustainable community living environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes mesh screens for natural light filtration and privacy control.
02
Incorporates vertical louvers to provide shade and enhance climate control.
03
Features rooftop farms with 5,000 square feet dedicated to sustainable agriculture.
04
Includes a floating running track to promote fitness and community engagement.
05
Design organizes separated buildings for improved access to communal amenities.

Neo-Garden City is located in London and seeks to address the needs of urban living, especially for those in lower-income housing. The design integrates residential, recreational, and agricultural areas to create a lively community space. This project aims to improve the quality of life for its residents while also emphasizing principles of sustainability.

Facade Design

The building’s facade is shaped by a structural grid system, which balances aesthetics and functionality. The north facade includes external circulation paths and unit entrances, making it easier for residents to navigate the space. Mesh screens are placed on this facade to allow natural light in while providing privacy. The southern facade uses vertical louvers for shade, further protecting personal space and enhancing comfort for those living there.

Community Integration

A key element of Neo-Garden City is its focus on fostering community connections. The layout features separate buildings that accommodate important amenities like a fitness center, public library, and a floating running track. This setup encourages residents to lead active lives and build relationships, promoting a strong sense of community within the urban environment.

Urban Farming Initiatives

Another significant aspect is the incorporation of urban farming. Rooftops host gardens along with interior UV light farms, totaling 5,000 square feet of rooftop space and 12,000 square feet indoors. These areas enable residents to grow their own food, supporting a sustainable lifestyle. This effort helps address food security issues while reinforcing the idea of self-sufficiency in a city.

Residential Diversity

The range of living options includes 63 one-bedroom units, 43 two-bedroom units, 27 two-bedroom lofts, and 15 three-bedroom lofts. Each unit is designed to be larger than typical market standards, aiming to provide better living conditions. Some units feature elevation changes to offer unique spaces that enhance enjoyment and comfort for residents, catering to a variety of lifestyles.

Green spaces are integrated throughout the design, providing areas for residents to gather and connect with nature. This relationship between green spaces and urban life enriches the overall environment, creating an inviting place to call home.

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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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