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Charred Wooden Shingles and Sustainable Modular Units in Multifamily Urban Housing

Authors:
Adrian Niemiec, Kacper Sikora
Charred Wooden Shingles and Sustainable Modular Units in Multifamily Urban Housing

Project in-detail

Constructed with charred wooden shingles and modular units, this multifamily housing initiative addresses urban living needs while prioritizing sustainability and community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and aesthetics.
02
Features modular units that can be easily reconfigured to suit diverse resident needs.
03
Incorporates extensive rooftop gardens that promote biodiversity and community interaction.
04
Utilizes cross-laminated timber panels for efficient construction and sustainability.
05
Designed with daylight optimization to reduce energy consumption through natural light.

### Project Overview
Living Places LA is a multi-family housing development situated in Los Angeles, California. The project aims to address urban housing challenges by integrating sustainable design, modular construction, and affordability into its framework. The design emphasizes adaptable living environments that cater to varying demographic needs, reflecting a contemporary approach to urban residential architecture.

### Design Principles
The project's conceptual framework is centered on sustainability, flexibility, and affordability. Sustainable practices are embedded throughout, including the use of recycled materials and construction techniques aimed at minimizing environmental impact. Energy-efficient technologies are incorporated, contributing to a reduction in waste during both construction and operation. Flexibility is achieved through modular unit designs that allow residents to customize their living spaces according to personal preferences and lifestyle changes. Affordability remains a key objective, with cost-effective materials and construction methods facilitating access for low to middle-income families.

### Material and Spatial Composition
The selection of materials within Living Places LA is pivotal to both functionality and aesthetics. Wood serves as a primary structural element, fostering an inviting atmosphere and aligning with sustainable practices. Steel and reinforced concrete provide necessary durability, while extensive use of glass in façades enhances natural lighting and visual connections to the exterior environment. Recycled composites feature prominently in interior finishes, reinforcing a commitment to sustainability.

The spatial organization promotes communal interaction and privacy through thoughtfully designed layouts. Rooftop gardens on each building create accessible green spaces, enhancing urban greening and encouraging social engagement. The interior configurations support diverse living arrangements, accommodating families of varying sizes. Outdoor landscaping is seamlessly integrated into the urban context, facilitating connectivity to the adjacent waterfront and fostering recreational opportunities. Barrier-free design ensures accessibility for all, inviting inclusivity within the community.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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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