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Waterfront Heritage Center Emphasizing Public Interaction and Cultural Integration

Authors:
Dinah Dupiton, Adèle Zgainski
Waterfront Heritage Center Emphasizing Public Interaction and Cultural Integration

Project in-detail

Set against the historic backdrop of Milan's Navigli, the design incorporates aquatic faults and communal spaces that enhance public interaction while emphasizing cultural heritage and ecological sustainability.
5 key facts about this project
01
Integrates historic architectural follies with modern public spaces.
02
Focuses on promoting biodiversity through natural water features.
03
Enhances community engagement with strategically placed gathering areas.
04
Reconnects urban life with the historical significance of the Navigli.
05
Emphasizes soft mobility by prioritizing pedestrian pathways over vehicle access.

The revitalization of the Navigli in Milan aims to reconnect the historic waterways with the urban landscape. This initiative enhances environmental quality and fosters social interaction. Positioned in a culturally rich area, the design focuses on transforming neighborhoods into lively spaces. Drawing on the principles of aquatic and vegetal faults, the vision is to create an interconnected environment where natural elements blend with urban settings.

Design Framework

A key aspect of the design is how it partitions the urban space to energize the streets. By integrating water features and green areas, the project seeks to enhance the quality of life for those who live and visit the area. This focus on nature aims to restore essential links to the waterways, reminding the public of the Navigli's historical importance in city life.

Heritage and Community

The project emphasizes the enhancement of Milanese heritage through carefully designed structures that provide new social spaces. These additions resonate with the city's historical background while catering to present-day needs. Cafes, restaurants, and gathering areas are strategically placed along the waterfront to improve community interaction. This not only invites people to come together but also enriches the cultural atmosphere of the Navigli.

Mobility Focus

Mobility is another important topic within the design. The plan promotes the reorganization of transportation to support pedestrians and cyclists. By reducing reliance on cars, it aims to create safer and more accessible public spaces. This approach aspires to make the Navigli an inviting area, encouraging walking and cycling as primary means of movement through the neighborhood.

Visual Integration

The vision for the area includes various visual representations that highlight the relationship between users and the historical environment. These illustrations show how water features can encourage biodiversity, adding to the urban ecosystem. The design invites exploration, making the Navigli a significant resource for both cultural activities and leisure.

Every architectural detail contributes to the character of the site, preserving its historical significance while adapting to contemporary requirements. The Navigli is positioned to celebrate its past and offer a welcoming space for future generations.

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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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