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Building Community Through Backlane Development and Homeowner Investment

Author:
Gerry Paul
Building Community Through Backlane Development and Homeowner Investment

Project in-detail

Utilizing backlane spaces and engaging homeowners as investors, the design creates low-cost housing solutions that enhance community density and foster local participation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes backlane areas for housing development.
02
Engages homeowners as financial stakeholders in the project.
03
Designed with high windows to maximize natural light while ensuring privacy.
04
Adapts to varying lot sizes with a flexible building configuration.
05
Focuses on community integration while increasing residential density.

Housing for Half the Price responds to the need for affordable living options in urban areas with high land costs. It proposes a plan that utilizes existing lot spaces and focuses on constructing low-cost housing in the backyards of residential properties and along adjacent back lanes. This approach aims to provide new housing without the financial burden of purchasing additional land, allowing communities to grow sustainably.

Engagement of Homeowners

A key feature of the plan is the participation of current homeowners, who are invited to become financial stakeholders in the housing development process. By allowing them to invest and act as landlords, homeowners gain a vested interest in the project. This involvement promotes community support for new housing because it directly connects the financial benefits to those who already live in the area.

Design Configuration

The design suggests a layout utilizing 25-foot wide lots paired with 20-foot wide back lanes. This arrangement provides flexibility, as it can be adapted to fit different property sizes. The small-scale nature of these developments limits disruption to existing neighborhoods. New buildings are positioned to integrate into the community without overshadowing current homes, protecting the character of the environment.

Spatial Considerations

When designing living spaces, attention is given to privacy and natural light. Features such as high windows and glass blocks allow sunlight to enter homes while maintaining residents’ privacy. This design enhances the comfort of the interiors and meets modern expectations for housing, where light and openness are important elements for a pleasant living experience.

Regulatory Context

Addressing financial constraints and planning restrictions is also a critical part of the design. The proposal provides solutions that enable municipalities to rethink their planning policies. By making it easier to approve increased density, the plan assists in solving the problem of affordable housing while remaining compliant with existing building codes. This careful consideration helps balance the needs of both the community and regulatory bodies.

Housing for Half the Price ultimately promotes a practical living solution that makes efficient use of available land while fostering a connected community atmosphere. The project reflects a commitment to addressing housing shortages in a thoughtful and inclusive manner.

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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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