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Adaptive Living Spaces Enhanced By Active Auxetics And Community Connectivity

Authors:
Ian Sheng, yifan Wu, Ning Zhao
Adaptive Living Spaces Enhanced By Active Auxetics And Community Connectivity

Project in-detail

Incorporating active auxetics and a community-focused Air Bridge, the design redefines urban living with flexible spaces that adapt to changing resident needs while fostering social interaction in a high-density setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates active auxetics for responsive environmental control.
02
Features an Air Bridge connecting multiple residential towers for enhanced community interaction.
03
Utilizes charred wooden shingles as a sustainable exterior finish.
04
Employs modular units that can be reconfigured to adapt to changing family needs.
05
Integrates urban farming spaces within communal terrace areas for ecological engagement.
The architectural design project "Ongoing Acclimation" focuses on redefining urban residential living in a high-density environment, proposing a model that integrates community, flexibility, and sustainability. Positioned to enhance the urban landscape akin to cities like New York, the project addresses various aspects of multifamily living while emphasizing ecological connectivity and social interaction among residents.

Unique Living Configurations

At the core of "Ongoing Acclimation" is the innovative concept of the “Magic Wall,” which enables flexible reconfiguration of living spaces. This design feature allows units to adapt based on the needs of residents, such as merging or dividing spaces to accommodate fluctuating family structures. This adaptability is a response to evolving living arrangements in urban settings, promoting a more sustainable and responsive architectural model.

Complementing this adaptability is the “Air Bridge,” a structural element that connects multiple towers within the development. This feature not only serves a functional purpose, facilitating movement between residential spaces, but also fosters community ties, mitigating the isolation often experienced in high-rise living. The Air Bridge incorporates green space, enhancing the project’s ecological footprint and providing residents with a communal outdoor area.

Sustainability and Materiality

The project emphasizes sustainability through its choice of materials and landscape integration. Active auxetics, a responsive material, adjusts to environmental conditions, contributing to energy efficiency while enhancing occupant comfort. Glass façades are utilized to maximize natural light while creating visual transparency, linking the indoor and outdoor environments. Concrete serves as the main structural material, providing durability and allowing various aesthetic treatments that complement surrounding landscapes. Wood elements are integrated into terraces, reinforcing the connection with nature and promoting biodiversity within the urban context.

The design also includes green roofs and communal terraces that support urban farming and outdoor activities. These features encourage eco-focused living, bringing nature into the residential experience. The site layout is designed to integrate seamlessly with the surrounding environment, prioritizing accessible pathways and public spaces that encourage community engagement.

Overall, "Ongoing Acclimation" serves as an architectural examination of modern urban living, combining innovative design with functional adaptability and community focus. For those interested in the technical aspects of this project, reviewing the architectural plans, architectural sections, architectural designs, and architectural ideas will provide deeper insights into its comprehensive approach and execution.
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MICROHOME
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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
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Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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