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Bamboo Cladding and Carbon Nano-Tubes in Vertical Co-Housing Community

Author:
Isaac Greenetz
Bamboo Cladding and Carbon Nano-Tubes in Vertical Co-Housing Community

Project in-detail

Constructed with carbon nano-tubes and bamboo cladding, this co-housing initiative in Rome emphasizes adaptability and community engagement through its innovative vertical living spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with carbon nano-tubes, enhancing strength and reducing weight.
02
Bamboo cladding provides an eco-friendly exterior that promotes sustainability.
03
Each residential unit can be relocated, offering flexibility for residents.
04
Shared amenities include sky gardens that encourage community interaction.
05
Community floors host professional-grade kitchens for collective gatherings.

The Altea Rosata Co-Housing project is located in the courtyard of an existing residential building at Piazza Mazzini 13 in Rome. It aims to promote community living by integrating residential units with spaces for social interaction, all while maintaining the public character of the piazza. The design focuses on vertical living that encourages connections among residents and enhances their daily experiences.

Architecture Concept

At the heart of the design is the desire to blend individual living with community engagement. The building features shared spaces such as sky gardens, community kitchens, and common living areas. These elements invite residents to interact and build relationships. The layout adapts the traditional idea of a courtyard, creating a mix of private and public spaces in an urban environment.

Adaptable Living Units

One of the key innovations is the use of individual nodes. These are prefabricated living units similar in size to large bedrooms, designed for mobility. This means residents can move their units between different towers or even to new cities if they wish. This flexibility offers a unique approach to urban living, allowing for changes in lifestyle and needs without being tied to a specific location.

Vertical Configuration

The residential units are organized across multiple levels, enhancing opportunities for social interaction. Each floor contains several housing nodes alongside communal areas, promoting a sense of community among the residents. Larger community spaces on each level include professional-grade kitchens and gathering spots. These areas are designed for various activities and events, helping to strengthen connections among neighbors.

Sustainable Materials

The project uses carbon nano-tubes, which provide a strong and lightweight structural system. This innovative material is designed to mimic the strength of certain biological forms, combining durability with design flexibility. The building also incorporates radiative cooling structural wood and bamboo cladding for its exterior brise soleil. These choices reflect a focus on sustainability while ensuring the design fits well into the urban landscape.

By encouraging connection and adaptability, the Altea Rosata Co-Housing project offers a thoughtful approach to community living, featuring shared spaces, flexible units, and an attention to material choices that align with both function and design.

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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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