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Charred Wooden Shingles and Glass Facades Enhance Urban Micro-Living Solutions

Author:
Lilian Buchangroff
Charred Wooden Shingles and Glass Facades Enhance Urban Micro-Living Solutions

Project in-detail

Constructed with charred wooden shingles and transparent glass facades, this micro-living solution redefines urban density by offering efficient and adaptable housing units designed for community-oriented living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed on rooftops and vacant lots, the project maximizes urban density.
02
The design incorporates charred wooden shingles for durability and aesthetic contrast.
03
Cross-laminated timber panels enhance structural efficiency while reducing environmental impact.
04
Flexible modular units allow for varied configurations to meet different residency needs.
05
A community-focused layout promotes social interaction through shared public spaces.

### Project Overview
"MyCr[o] Living" addresses the housing challenges in New York City by introducing micro-apartment modules designed to optimize underused urban spaces. The project focuses on empty lots and rooftops of existing structures, facilitating co-living arrangements that cater to diverse income levels, with a particular emphasis on younger demographics, such as millennials. Key locations within the initiative include 161 Thompson Street and 59 West 128th Street, demonstrating adaptability across different neighborhoods.

### Design Philosophy and Modularity
The design philosophy centers on creating flexible, sustainable living environments that respond to the growing demand for affordable housing in urban settings. The micro-apartments feature modular designs, allowing for efficient stacking and varied configurations to maximize floor area. This approach not only supports increased population density but also promotes a sense of community while maintaining essential privacy in individual units.

### Materiality and Sustainability
The project employs a diverse palette of materials that reflect both contemporary and historical architectural elements. Key materials include:

- **Brick:** Establishes a connection to the historical context of New York City while ensuring durability.
- **Glass:** Enhances transparency and natural light, fostering a connection to the vibrant urban atmosphere.
- **Metal Cladding:** Aids in creating modern aesthetics and supports structural integrity, emphasizing the project's commitment to sustainable practices, including provisions for solar energy systems on rooftops.

The micro-units, with a minimum area of 120 square feet, incorporate functional layouts, featuring adaptable living areas, private bathrooms, and community-oriented kitchen and common spaces. These design details ensure that both individual and communal needs are met, promoting a cohesive living 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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