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Charred Shingle Facades and Flexible Layouts for Eco-Conscious Urban Living

Author:
Somdatta Majumdar
Charred Shingle Facades and Flexible Layouts for Eco-Conscious Urban Living

Project in-detail

Constructed with charred wooden shingles and engineered timber, the design optimizes flexible living arrangements to facilitate communal experiences in a densely populated urban environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with charred wooden shingles that enhance durability and aesthetic appeal.
02
Incorporates adjustable living units to maximize space efficiency and adaptability.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that optimizes structural stability and interior volume.
04
Utilizes green roofs to enhance biodiversity and improve air quality in the urban setting.
05
Facilitates communal pathways that promote interaction among residents for a collaborative living experience.
The Co-Living Pods project is an architectural initiative located along the Gardiner Expressway in Toronto, Canada. It aims to provide flexible, affordable housing solutions that facilitate communal living within an urban context. This project challenges traditional residential configurations by integrating private living units with shared amenities. The design focuses on maximizing optimally utilized space while encouraging social interaction, aligning with contemporary urban housing needs.

Unique Design Approaches in Community Integration

A distinguishing feature of the Co-Living Pods is the innovative arrangement of living spaces that prioritizes community engagement. The design incorporates adjustable units, allowing for adaptability in layout and use, which is particularly relevant in densely populated environments where every square foot counts. The inclusion of communal pathways serves as conduits to shared amenities, enhancing connectivity among residents and fostering a collaborative living atmosphere. Outdoor courtyards and green areas contribute to this goal, providing essential spaces for socialization and recreational activities, integral to the co-living ethos.

Material Selection and Sustainability Focus

Materiality plays a crucial role in the project's design integrity, reflecting an emphasis on sustainability and aesthetic value. Key materials include engineered wood for structural and interior elements, glass to promote natural light and provide visual connections to the surrounding environment, and steel for durability and structural support. Concrete is utilized effectively in foundational and communal areas, reinforcing stability. The incorporation of green roofs and vertical gardens underscores the project’s commitment to ecological design, enhancing urban biodiversity and improving air quality while providing residents with access to nature.

Explore the presentation of the Co-Living Pods project for detailed architectural plans, architectural sections, and architectural designs that illustrate the innovative ideas driving this initiative. Understanding these elements will offer deeper insights into its approaches to community living and urban housing solutions.
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MICROHOME
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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
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Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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