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Air Chamber Stacking With Natural Materials for Affordable Urban Living

Author:
Sherley Matos
Air Chamber Stacking With Natural Materials for Affordable Urban Living

Project in-detail

Utilizing air chamber stacking and natural materials, this design optimizes urban living spaces while fostering community engagement through integrated shared areas.
5 key facts about this project
01
Air chambers between glass units enhance thermal and acoustic performance.
02
Modular units provide flexible living options tailored to diverse household needs.
03
Shared terraces promote community interaction and connectivity among residents.
04
Natural materials like brick and timber integrate the building with its urban context.
05
The stacking design optimizes land use while allowing for increased light and ventilation.

### Overview

MOD'ARCO Living is an affordable housing initiative located in Milan, designed to address the diverse needs of the urban population. The project comprises three distinct residential unit types, measuring 36 m², 54 m², and 72 m². This diversity in unit size allows for flexible living arrangements, catering to various household compositions and fostering an inclusive community environment. The design incorporates an understanding of urban dynamics, adaptable to different site conditions while addressing the issue of housing affordability in a metropolitan context.

### Air Chamber Design

A defining feature of the project is the integration of air chambers between glass units, significantly enhancing thermal and acoustic performance. This innovative design also increases natural light and privacy for residents. Implementing these chambers facilitates natural ventilation, thereby minimizing dependence on mechanical systems. The structural layout prioritizes energy efficiency while creating a conducive living environment.

### Community Integration

The design emphasizes communal spaces, such as shared terraces, laundry facilities, and common rooms, situated on lower levels. These areas encourage social interactions among residents, fostering a sense of community. The use of natural materials, including bricks and planters, contributes to the overall aesthetic and promotes biophilic design principles, reinforcing connections to nature within the urban setting. The incorporation of greenery enhances not only visual comfort but also air quality, aligning with contemporary sustainability practices.

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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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