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URBAN SENIOR LIVING WITH INTEGRATED SOCIAL SPACES

Author:
Jeremy James Iannucci
URBAN SENIOR LIVING WITH INTEGRATED SOCIAL SPACES

Project in-detail

Located in Jackson Heights, Queens, Crossroads Senior Housing addresses the evolving needs of an aging population through a multifamily residential development focused on accessibility, flexibility, and community engagement. The project integrates private living units with shared communal spaces, fostering a supportive environment within a dense urban context.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and weather resistance.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for sustainable structural integrity.
03
Features a bent A-frame design to optimize natural light and space efficiency.
04
Includes landscaped communal courtyards to encourage resident interaction.
05
Integrates accessible design elements tailored specifically for senior residents.

Crossroads Senior Housing is located at the intersection of Baxter Avenue and Elmhurst Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York. Developed as a multifamily residential building for senior residents, the project responds to the urban character of its surroundings while prioritizing accessibility, community interaction, and adaptable living arrangements. The design supports aging in place through spatial strategies that promote independence, safety, and social connectivity.

Community integration and spatial flexibility
The layout includes shared amenities such as a social lobby, fitness center, and rooftop garden, positioned to facilitate daily encounters and collective engagement. A variety of unit types accommodates different levels of independence, from single-room to multi-bedroom configurations. Circulation throughout the building is designed with accessibility in mind, featuring wide corridors, elevators, and clear wayfinding. Large windows provide natural illumination and maintain visual connections to outdoor green spaces, enhancing comfort and well-being.

Architectural expression and material strategy
The building’s material palette draws from both contemporary and contextual references, combining brick, metal cladding, glass, and wood. Brick contributes to structural durability and ties the building to the neighborhood’s vernacular, while green metal cladding introduces a modern visual element. Landscaped courtyards and communal gardens are embedded within the site to extend living spaces outdoors, offering residents opportunities for informal gathering, recreation, and engagement with nature.

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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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