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Autonomous Living Village with Freehold Ownership and Shared Courtyards

Authors:
Graham Crist, Nicola Garrod, Fara Mosavari, Taylor Wiley
Autonomous Living Village with Freehold Ownership and Shared Courtyards

Project in-detail

With freehold ownership and a focus on autonomous transit, the design incorporates shared courtyards and compact living units to foster community engagement while addressing housing affordability in Greater London.
5 key facts about this project
01
Freehold land titles for each dwelling enhance resident ownership and connection to the community.
02
The design includes shared courtyards that promote social interaction among residents.
03
All units are designed for high-density living while maintaining compact footprints.
04
An autonomous bus service connects the community to central London, addressing commuting needs.
05
The project emphasizes sustainability through principles of recycling and upcycling in construction practices.

The design focused on housing affordability in Greater London responds to the ongoing challenges of urban living. It aims to address rising land prices and the demand for accessible homes through a thoughtful combination of strategies. The central idea promotes compact living, community connection, and the notion of ownership. This approach seeks to create a functional and welcoming environment for residents.

Spatial Configuration

The design includes two distinct types of dwellings to accommodate different household needs. The first option features a footprint of 31 square meters with a total area of 93 square meters. It offers three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a flexible front room, an open-plan kitchen, a living room, a roof terrace, and a private courtyard. The second option slightly increases the footprint to 36 square meters and a total area of 108 square meters, maintaining similar layouts. This modular approach maximizes land use while allowing residents to adapt their living spaces to fit their lifestyles.

Community Engagement

Incorporating communal spaces is central to the design, encouraging residents to interact and build relationships. Shared recreational areas and event spaces enhance community ties, making living here more inviting. The design promotes a car-free environment, with parking located at the edges of the development. This layout makes it easier for residents to walk or bike around the neighborhood, creating a more engaging and accessible atmosphere.

Sustainability

Sustainability is a key consideration throughout the design. Although specific materials are not detailed, the use of prefabrication indicates a commitment to resource efficiency. This method can help reduce waste during construction and improve environmental outcomes. Additionally, principles of recycling and upcycling feature prominently, aligning the project with modern sustainable practices that aim to minimize the ecological footprint.

Infrastructure and Connectivity

A central hub within the design serves both as a nexus for transportation and a venue for community events. This hub connects residents to autonomous bus services, making the one-hour commute more manageable. High-speed internet access is another important feature, ensuring that residents can stay connected with both their community and the larger world. This design choice accommodates contemporary living standards and supports the needs of those accustomed to a digital lifestyle.

Private courtyards and roof terraces add another layer to the living experience, offering personal outdoor spaces. These features encourage residents to spend time outside, promoting well-being and a connection to nature amid the urban surroundings.

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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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