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Balconies and Greenery Define Modular Urban Living

Authors:
Hamid Shahi, Ronak Gandhi
Balconies and Greenery Define Modular Urban Living

Project in-detail

With modular units designed for flexibility and balconies integrated with greenery, the development redefines urban living through communal spaces that foster interaction among residents.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular units allow for flexible configurations across different urban contexts.
02
Balconies are designed to support integrated greenery for enhanced livability.
03
Communal kitchens and spaces are centralized to promote resident interaction.
04
Parasitic housing design utilizes existing structures for efficient land use.
05
The project repurposes an old bridge to create a linear neighborhood layout.

The design focuses on changing housing in London to support a sustainable lifestyle. It prioritizes how residents relate to one another and considers the materials used in construction. With an emphasis on prefabricated methods, the approach uses a modular system that allows for flexible living arrangements. This design adapts effectively to urban needs while fitting into the existing city landscape.

Modular System

The structure employs modular units, each measuring 25 square meters with a square footprint of 5 meters by 5 meters. These modules can be arranged in several configurations, including tower blocks, infill housing, parasitic housing placed on existing buildings, and linear neighborhoods created by repurposing an existing bridge. This flexibility allows the design to serve various urban living needs while integrating smoothly into the area.

Communal Spaces

A notable aspect of the design is the inclusion of communal spaces that encourage interaction among residents. Kitchens and multipurpose areas serve as community hubs where individuals can gather. This layout promotes a sense of belonging, moving away from isolated living to a more connected residential experience. It reflects current trends in urban planning that highlight the importance of social interaction in housing design.

Integration of Nature

The design emphasizes a strong relationship with nature by incorporating balconies that offer residents outdoor access. These spaces contribute to ventilation and allow plenty of natural light into the units. The balconies are designed to include greenery, which supports local biodiversity and improves the overall quality of life. Additionally, a grid structure within the layout provides practical shelving options, helping residents organize their belongings while allowing for personalization.

Levels and Amenities

Multiple levels, ranging from the ground level to Level 10, are included in the design, each one equipped with various amenities designed to meet the needs of the residents. This arrangement enhances adaptability, ensuring the design remains functional across different urban contexts. Each floor balances communal and private areas, creating spaces for social activities while preserving personal comfort.

Residents can design their balconies as small gardens, further emphasizing the project’s commitment to integrating greenery into urban living. This aspect contributes to both the visual appeal of the environment and supports urban biodiversity.

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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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