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Wave-Inspired Facades Elevate Vertical Living in Urban Environment

Authors:
Sarah Ahmed, Jila Haghnazari
Wave-Inspired Facades Elevate Vertical Living in Urban Environment

Project in-detail

With distinct wave-inspired facades that reflect Frankfurt's cultural diversity, the vertical structure efficiently merges residential and commercial spaces within a high-rise footprint.
5 key facts about this project
01
Wave-inspired facades draw influence from the Main River.
02
Each cube represents a distinct cultural district of Frankfurt.
03
Glass elements enhance natural light and visual connectivity.
04
Residential units increase in luxury from lower to upper levels.
05
Mixed-use design fosters community interaction and engagement.

The design titled "Vertical Cities" is located in Frankfurt am Main, where it presents a modern take on urban living by combining residential and commercial spaces in a tall building. The aim is to tackle the challenges of city life by focusing on vertical design, which promotes interaction within the space. This project emphasizes the importance of organizing different aspects of life into a cohesive structure.

Conceptual Framework

Vertical Cities arises from the need to connect various elements of urban life. By utilizing height in its design, the project allows for a mix of apartments and essential public services in one location. This strategy not only utilizes the available space efficiently but also enhances the overall experience of living in a busy city.

Cubes as District Representations

The design incorporates several cubes, each symbolizing a different area of Frankfurt. This modular approach reflects the city's complexity and diversity. Each cube has a unique facade that represents the characteristics of its district, such as how the city center is depicted with various cultural influences, while the Sachsenhausen cube features a design inspired by the flowing Main River, creating a visual connection to its surroundings.

Facade and Interior Harmony

The use of glass in the building's facade helps create a link between the interior spaces and the city outside. This choice lets in natural light, making the inside feel open and inviting. Additionally, the residential units are planned to become more luxurious as they rise, creating a hierarchy within the structure that enhances the experience of living there.

Multifunctional Ecosystem

Integrating different functions within the building cultivates an environment where residential, commercial, and social life can coexist. This mix encourages interaction among residents and contributes to a sense of community. The design reflects an awareness of contemporary urban needs, showcasing how high-density living can be achieved while still promoting engagement among its users.

Details within the design highlight the building's upward movement, as unique facade elements reach toward the sky. This not only symbolizes growth but also reflects Frankfurt’s vibrant architectural character.

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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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