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A Vertical Assembly of Compact Townhouses

Author:
Stanislav Metzger
A Vertical Assembly of Compact Townhouses
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Located within a rapidly densifying urban context, the design responds to pressing housing pressures shaped by escalating land values and a growing population. The proposal investigates compact vertical living as a means to optimize limited sites while incorporating shared spaces that encourage social interaction
5 key facts about this project
01
Compact two-level townhouses enhance urban living efficiency.
02
Shared outdoor areas promote community interaction and ties.
03
Vertical stacking reduces horizontal land use significantly.
04
Lightweight timber structures allow flexible internal layouts.
05
Reinforced concrete framework ensures durability and low maintenance.

Sydney Modern Insula Tiny Townhouses addresses the challenge of housing shortages in Sydney, where rising land costs and population growth demand more efficient urban living models. The project explores vertical densification through compact two-level townhouses, organized to balance private dwelling spaces with opportunities for collective engagement. Shared outdoor areas are integrated within the scheme to foster interaction and strengthen community ties.

Spatial Strategy
The design consolidates residential functions into vertically stacked units, reducing horizontal land use and enabling a more compact urban footprint. Circulation spaces are reconfigured as active extensions of living areas, minimizing wasted surface while offering flexible zones for everyday use. This approach allows the limited site area to support both individual dwellings and communal amenities, ensuring adequate light, ventilation, and social connectivity across the development.

Materiality and Structure
A reinforced concrete framework provides structural stability through ceilings, columns, and circulation cores, ensuring long-term durability and reduced maintenance requirements. Within this robust framework, the townhouses are built using lightweight timber skeletal structures, offering flexibility in internal layouts that can adapt to shifting resident needs and market demands. The combination of concrete and timber underscores a balance between permanence and adaptability, aligning with sustainable urban housing strategies.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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