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Acoustic Isolation and Natural Light in Concrete Facades for Urban Living

Authors:
Tim Williams, Max Martin, Jon Martin
Acoustic Isolation and Natural Light in Concrete Facades for Urban Living

Project in-detail

The design addresses the challenges of high-density urban living by focusing on spatial strategies that enhance both privacy and community engagement. It seeks to mitigate environmental factors such as noise while optimizing natural light and social connectivity within a limited site
5 key facts about this project
01
Façade design incorporates exposed steel reinforcement for added durability.
02
Sun scoops diffuse natural light while maintaining privacy from surrounding buildings.
03
Acoustic isolation enhances living conditions in a densely populated urban area.
04
Transitional spaces feature small gardens, allowing residents a connection with nature.
05
Community areas are strategically placed every six to nine floors for social interaction.

Located in a densely populated area of Hong Kong, the design responds to limited land availability and high housing demand by creating living environments that balance personal comfort with opportunities for social interaction. The concept prioritizes acoustic isolation from urban noise while maximizing natural light, offering residents a quiet retreat within the fast-paced city.

Facade Design and Materiality
The façade draws inspiration from Hong Kong’s urban context, featuring a deconstructed concrete wall aesthetic with exposed steel reinforcement. Its weathered finish not only enhances durability but also visually references traditional bamboo scaffolding, allowing the building to integrate with its surroundings. This façade serves as a buffer against street noise while permitting daylight to penetrate the interiors.

Living Spaces and Community Amenities
Individual units are designed for acoustic privacy and include sun scoops that admit natural light while limiting views from adjacent buildings. Shared amenities such as communal kitchens, dining areas, and transitional zones with shower pods and gardens foster resident interaction and connection with nature. These communal spaces are distributed every six to nine floors, providing flexibility to adapt to neighborhood-specific needs while maintaining consistent design language. The entrance design facilitates a clear transition from the urban street to social areas, reinforcing the relationship between private and communal environments.

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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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