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Wind Towers and Green Roofs Enhancing Biodiversity in a Sustainable Residential Ecosystem

Authors:
Facundo Garcia Berro, Paula Lesch, Guillermo Alejandro Lesch, Martin Lesch
Wind Towers and Green Roofs Enhancing Biodiversity in a Sustainable Residential Ecosystem

Project in-detail

With integrated wind towers, green roofs, and vertical gardens, this residential ecosystem optimizes natural ventilation and biodiversity while promoting sustainable living practices.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates wind towers to facilitate natural cooling without mechanical systems.
02
Utilizes green roofs to improve insulation and support local biodiversity.
03
Features vertical gardens for urban agriculture and enhanced food security.
04
Employs soil as a thermal mass to regulate indoor temperatures effectively.
05
Integrates a rainwater harvesting system for sustainable water use.

## Architectural Design Report: "Inner Oasis"

### Overview
Located in a region marked by arid landscapes, this residential design addresses contemporary environmental challenges while fostering a connection between its inhabitants and the natural surroundings. The project emphasizes ecological sustainability, creating a living environment in which the ecosystem and its residents coexist symbiotically, enhancing both personal well-being and ecological health.

### Spatial Configuration and Design Innovations
The layout features a collection of modular units organized around a central courtyard, which serves as a communal heart for interaction and engagement with nature. The central courtyard includes water features and diverse vegetation that promote a favorable microclimate and encourage biodiversity. Each living unit is designed for flexibility, allowing them to be reconfigured to meet the evolving needs of families. The incorporation of expansive openings enables natural light infiltration and cross-ventilation, enhancing indoor environmental quality while also integrating water harvesting and dew collection systems to optimize resource usage.

### Material Selection and Environmental Integration
The choice of materials is central to both the sustainability and aesthetic objectives of the project. Natural soil serves as a primary building component, contributing to thermal mass and incorporating living systems within the architecture. Reinforced concrete provides structural integrity, while glass elements facilitate transparency and strengthen the visual connection between interior living spaces and the exterior environment. Geotextiles are utilized for effective drainage and landscape stabilization, reinforcing the design's ecological intentions.

Key innovative features include wind towers that harness natural ventilation, green roofs that support thermal regulation and biodiversity, and vertical gardens for urban agriculture, promoting self-sufficiency. Additionally, the implementation of solar panels and dew collection technologies is designed to minimize environmental impact and enhance resource efficiency, positioning the dwelling as a proactive entity in ecological restoration.

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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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