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Balconies of Local Bricks and Green Roofs Foster Community Living in Pomezia

Authors:
Francesca Masciali, Davide Di Nardo, Alessandra Natale
Balconies of Local Bricks and Green Roofs Foster Community Living in Pomezia

Project in-detail

Local bricks and lush green roofs define a residential environment in Pomezia that encourages social interaction through its thoughtfully designed communal spaces and inviting balconies.
5 key facts about this project
01
Balconies are designed as communal gardens, enhancing social engagement among residents.
02
The building utilizes locally sourced bricks to ensure environmental sustainability.
03
Green roofs promote biodiversity and aid in temperature regulation within the structure.
04
Activity rooms are strategically placed on the ground floor for easy access and interaction.
05
Rainwater management systems are integrated to support the landscape and minimize waste.

### Project Overview

Located in Pomezia, Italy, the "Balconear" housing project introduces a novel design that prioritizes communal living while ensuring individual privacy. The architecture emphasizes the integration of private and public spaces, fostering social interaction among residents. The design is situated in proximity to essential services, parks, and bicycle lanes, thereby enhancing both accessibility and community engagement.

### Spatial Strategy

The layout of "Balconear" is characterized by its focus on creating environments conducive to socialization. Ground-floor communal areas, including a café, gym, and vegetable gardens, serve as the project's social nucleus, encouraging interaction through strategically organized activity rooms. The semi-private balconies extend residents' living spaces outdoors, promoting biodiversity and providing areas for rest or gatherings. Community-oriented facilities such as a hall, theater, and workshop spaces are designed to be accessible while remaining distinct from private living quarters, supporting ongoing creativity and learning.

### Materiality and Sustainability

The project employs local materials such as brick for the façade, enhancing both thermal regulation and visual appeal. Glass panels are integrated into window openings to optimize natural light and provide views of surrounding green spaces. A commitment to sustainability is evident in the use of solar panels, rainwater management systems, and energy-efficient designs, aiming to establish a self-sufficient living environment. The design also prioritizes landscaping and shaded areas, contributing to a healthier microclimate and encouraging residents to engage with nature through urban gardening initiatives.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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