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Charred Wooden Shingles Enveloping Modular Units Beneath Urban Infrastructure

Authors:
Zhiyu Zhang, Zilin Jing, Yangtong Zhao
Charred Wooden Shingles Enveloping Modular Units Beneath Urban Infrastructure

Project in-detail

Modular units clad in charred wooden shingles transform underutilized space beneath the Manhattan Bridge into affordable living, fostering community while embracing urban infrastructure.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular units designed for easy reconfiguration to accommodate varying family sizes.
02
Vertical gardens integrated into the facade enhance biodiversity and air quality.
03
Utilization of charred wooden shingles for fire resistance and aesthetic appeal.
04
Community spaces designed to promote social interaction among residents.
05
Construction repurposes existing infrastructure, minimizing environmental impact.

### Project Overview
**Project Name:** Living-Synthesis
**Location:** Manhattan, New York

Living-Synthesis is an architectural initiative that aims to incorporate affordable housing solutions within the existing structural framework of New York City's bridges, specifically the Manhattan Bridge. This undertaking seeks to address the city's housing crisis while promoting community engagement and sustainable living practices. By utilizing underused spaces, the project integrates residential environments into the urban fabric, enhancing both functionality and social connectivity.

### Integration with Urban Infrastructure
A key feature of Living-Synthesis is its innovative adaptation of urban infrastructure for residential use. The design repurposes the physical elements of the Manhattan Bridge, transforming them into modular living units. This approach not only utilizes available space efficiently but also blends housing needs with the city's existing structures. The modular units can be reconfigured to accommodate different family sizes, enhancing flexibility and adaptability in unit design.

### Materiality and Environmental Responsibility
The project prioritizes sustainable design through the careful selection of materials that contribute to both aesthetics and environmental goals. Wood is employed for structural elements to add warmth, while glass facilitates natural light and visual connectivity to the outdoors. Steel reinforces structural integrity and supports the modular concept. The incorporation of green roof systems and vertical gardens promotes biodiversity, improves air quality, and contributes to residents' mental well-being. Additionally, the use of recycled materials minimizes waste, reinforcing the project’s commitment to sustainability.

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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
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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MICROHOME
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