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Aluminum Foam Panels Elevate Green Living Above Urban Parking

Authors:
Jinhyeok Yang, Doyeon Kim
Aluminum Foam Panels Elevate Green Living Above Urban Parking

Project in-detail

Elevated above urban parking, aluminum foam panels create a unique residential oasis that integrates lush green corridors and diverse living spaces, offering a functional and sustainable solution in Melbourne's congested central business district.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated living spaces above urban parking lots enhance land use in Melbourne’s CBD.
02
Aluminum foam panels provide soundproofing and natural light filtration.
03
A linear park integrates two levels of green space, preserving existing historic trees.
04
Diverse housing typologies cater to various family sizes and promote community.
05
Designed to foster interaction between residents and nature in a dense urban setting.

In the central business district of Melbourne, an innovative design responds to the increasing need for housing amid population growth. By utilizing the space above existing parking lots, the project creates a combination of residential units and green areas. The overall design concept integrates living spaces with nature, providing a practical and inviting solution to urban challenges. This approach enhances the quality of life for residents while maximizing limited land resources in a bustling city.

Linear Residential Complex
The design features a linear arrangement where residential units sit above the parking infrastructure. This configuration effectively utilizes vertical space to make the most of the available land. Within this framework, the project offers a range of living options—single, double, and four-person units—that accommodate different family sizes. This variety encourages a sense of community while addressing the individual needs of residents.

Integration of Nature
A notable aspect of the design is its strong focus on incorporating natural elements. The residential area is characterized by lush corridors that provide a connection to nature, promoting well-being among residents. Walls made from aluminum foam panels serve important functions; they help with soundproofing and allow natural light to fill the living spaces. This thoughtful approach creates a welcoming atmosphere where the line between inside and outside is less defined.

Multi-layered Park
Central to the design is a linear park with two distinct layers. The ground level features the preservation of historic trees, ensuring that the area maintains its connection to the environment and history. The upper layer serves as a green retreat, offering a space for relaxation and recreation. This layered park not only enhances the urban landscape but also supports biodiversity, providing a place for nature to thrive in the city.

The project's layout encourages social interaction while promoting a healthier lifestyle. Elevated above the busy streets, the residences create a living experience that fosters community engagement alongside access to green spaces. In addition, hanging plants from the roof gardens soften the building's structure and provide a visual connection to the natural world, enriching daily life in an urban setting.

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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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