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Central Courtyard Anchored by a Repurposed Church for Millennial Living

Authors:
Lindsay Mazzeo, Erin Malone, Lucas Castellane
Central Courtyard Anchored by a Repurposed Church for Millennial Living

Project in-detail

A repurposed church at the heart of the development creates a central courtyard that fosters community interaction, supporting the living needs of millennials through diverse co-living spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Repurposed church serves as a multifunctional community hub.
02
Central courtyard enhances social interaction among residents.
03
Distinct “neighborhoods” foster a sense of belonging within the building.
04
Cut-outs create inviting entry points and improve accessibility.
05
Designed to accommodate diverse living arrangements for millennials.

San Giacomo Square is located in the center of Rome and caters to the needs of the millennial population. The focus is on creating spaces where residents can connect with each other while enjoying modern living arrangements. The design aims to foster a sense of community, with an emphasis on overall connectivity and flexibility, balancing contemporary needs against the site's historical context.

Neighborhoods

The layout features distinct “neighborhoods” within the building, which are enhanced by cut-outs that serve as welcoming entry points. This design choice promotes both privacy and social interaction, allowing residents to forge connections while still enjoying their personal space. The project includes strategic cut-throughs that improve accessibility, linking communal areas and individual apartments together in a cohesive manner.

Courtyard Design

An important element is the central courtyard, which acts as a space for residents to gather. It encourages social engagement and offers a refreshing break from urban surroundings. Light filters through and into the apartments, creating a sense of openness and inviting nature into the living space. The courtyard contributes to a vibrant atmosphere that enhances day-to-day life.

Repurposed Church

Part of the design involves adapting an existing church into a multifunctional facility. The church now includes spaces like a coffee shop, computer lab, game room, juice bar, and conference rooms. This change not only preserves the site's architectural heritage but also addresses the modern requirement for versatile communal areas within residential buildings.

Material Consideration

The design keeps the historical facade intact, which maintains the character of the original structure. Careful attention is given to integrate modern interiors in a way that respects the cultural significance of the site. By prioritizing preservation, the project respects the past while accommodating contemporary needs.

The combination of communal and private areas at San Giacomo Square shapes an inviting living environment. Residents can enjoy the courtyard framed by greenery and balconies, encouraging them to spend more time outdoors. This design fosters a genuine sense of community, enhancing the overall quality of life for those who live there.

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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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