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Balcony Sub-Community with Split-Layer Design and Flexible Living Spaces

Authors:
敏懿(min-yi) 黃(huang), 林彣(lin-wen) 韋(wei), Cheng-yang Huang
Balcony Sub-Community with Split-Layer Design and Flexible Living Spaces
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A balcony sub-community integrates split-layer design and flexible living spaces, fostering a blend of privacy and social interaction within a residential environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Balcony sub-community encourages outdoor socializing.
02
Split-layer design optimizes space and functionality.
03
Flexible room configurations accommodate diverse needs.
04
Itinerant art gallery enhances community cultural exchange.
05
Integration of natural elements promotes environmental connection.

The Empty Nest Project presents an exploration of how living environments can connect with nature. It offers a design that is both comforting and secure, drawing upon the imagery of living within a tree. The architecture is constructed in a way that enables residents to feel sheltered and at ease while promoting a sense of community. This layered design concept creates interconnected spaces that support both personal reflection and social gathering.

Design Features

Various room types, including double and quadruple configurations, have been integrated to support different living arrangements. This flexibility caters to the needs of diverse residents, allowing for both privacy and interaction. Public spaces such as cafes and community classrooms are thoughtfully placed within the layout, enhancing opportunities for social engagement and collaboration among occupants.

Spatial Organization

The layout reflects a careful arrangement of spaces, similar to how branches extend from a tree trunk. Each area is designed to serve specific purposes, maintaining a balance between communal and private settings. Functional elements like split-layer chairs and sleeper storage partitions enhance usability, allowing residents to make the most of their living spaces. These features add practicality while promoting comfort.

Community Engagement

Connections between residents are encouraged through well-designed outdoor gathering spaces. A balcony doorway sub-community invites activities like barbecuing or casual meet-ups, reinforcing social ties. Additionally, a mobile art gallery enhances cultural interaction, allowing for creative expression to flourish among residents.

The design pays attention to structural stability as well. The unit floor slabs create a reliable foundation for the layered arrangement. This thoughtful approach not only supports the physical structure but also reflects an understanding of human interaction in living spaces. Subtle design details enhance the project's sensitivity toward the environment, demonstrating a commitment to blending space with nature.

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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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100,000€ Prize / 2025
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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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