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Balancing Levels and Privacy in Compact Living Spaces

Authors:
Ja young Kim, Minju Seol, Seorin Choi, Juyeong Park
Balancing Levels and Privacy in Compact Living Spaces

Project in-detail

Level differences and sunken areas create a unique interplay of privacy and community in a compact living space designed to accommodate individual narratives within a shared environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Unique level differences enhance spatial separation while maintaining a sense of connection.
02
Sunken areas function as flexible zones for hobbies and relaxation.
03
High ceilings in the communal space promote openness and interaction.
04
Terraces are designed for shared activities, encouraging neighborhood engagement.
05
Private living areas support individual narratives within a compact footprint.

“WE HAVE OWN STORIES” is an innovative design that confronts the needs of modern living in urban settings. It aims to maximize limited space while balancing the requirements for both privacy and community. The concept revolves around a multi-level structure that allows for personal expression while encouraging social interaction among residents.

Spatial Organization

The building consists of three stories. The first and third floors are allocated as private living areas, providing residents with comfort and solitude. Meanwhile, the second floor is dedicated to communal living, which is designed to nurture social connections. This arrangement creates a dynamic relationship between individual comfort and shared experiences.

Functional Adaptability

Level differences are a central feature of the design. This technique effectively separates private spaces from communal areas while maintaining usability. Sunken areas and terraces contribute to the flexible nature of the home, allowing various activities such as work, hobbies, and relaxation. This thoughtful design approach enhances the effectiveness of living in a compact space without sacrificing personal needs.

Connection to Individual Narratives

The living area is characterized by high ceilings that create an open atmosphere, encouraging interaction among residents. This design promotes a sense of unity while still allowing each person to maintain their own story. By focusing on the interplay between private and communal spaces, the design reflects the diverse lifestyles of its inhabitants in a simple yet effective manner.

Attention to detail enhances the living experience. The integration of different levels and functional areas ensures that the home adapts to the changing needs of residents, cultivating a balance between personal privacy and community life.

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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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