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Brick Facade and Green Roofs Elevating Modular Housing in Urban Toronto

Authors:
Jonathan Espana, David Kim, Kyle Noronha, The Vu Nguyen
Brick Facade and Green Roofs Elevating Modular Housing in Urban Toronto

Project in-detail

A brick facade and integrated green roofs define a modular housing development that enhances community connectivity in Toronto’s Lower Junction Triangle, providing affordable living solutions for families and young adults.
5 key facts about this project
01
Pedestrian bridge connects key streets, enhancing community access.
02
Modular housing units tailored for diverse family structures.
03
Brick facade reflects the historical character of the Junction Triangle.
04
Integrated green roofs promote sustainability and reduce energy costs.
05
Project designed to replicate on other railway stretches in Toronto.

Junction Rail Living (JRL) is a project aimed at addressing the need for affordable housing in Toronto, located in the Lower Junction Triangle. It will be built above an existing GO train rail, offering a modern living space for families, young adults, and students. The design focuses on integrating modular housing while improving community connections. A key feature is a pedestrian bridge that links major streets in the area.

Housing Typologies

JRL provides several types of modular housing to meet the diverse needs of its residents. The units are designed to accommodate couples, families, students, and individuals, reflecting the varied demographics of urban life. This flexible approach allows for adaptability, catering to a range of preferences and lifestyles, which encourages a sense of community among residents.

Pedestrian Connectivity

A notable aspect of JRL is the sheltered pedestrian bridge, which will enhance accessibility throughout the area. This bridge will connect Dundas St. W to Bloor St., promoting easy movement within the neighborhood. By addressing the historical separation of the Junction Triangle, the bridge encourages people to walk and engage with their surroundings, facilitating access to local shops and services.

Sustainable Features

The design of JRL incorporates sustainable elements like green roofs combined with solar panels. These features aim to lower energy costs and lessen the environmental impact of the buildings. By emphasizing sustainability, JRL addresses contemporary urban living needs while also improving the overall quality of life for its residents.

Architectural Aesthetics

The exterior of JRL will be covered in a brick facade, referencing the traditional architectural style found in the Junction Triangle. This use of brick helps to honor the historical character of the area while presenting a modern living solution. The design seeks to create a balance between contemporary residential needs and the existing neighborhood's identity, enhancing the overall urban landscape.

Junction Rail Living stands as a thoughtful response to the challenge of affordable housing. It integrates necessary living spaces with features that promote community interaction and sustainability, contributing positively to the urban environment.

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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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