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Colorful Collective Spaces with Porcelain and Steel Integration

Author:
Alejandro Orbe
Colorful Collective Spaces with Porcelain and Steel Integration
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With a focus on colorful collective spaces and integration of porcelain and steel, the Diagonal Building provides flexible, affordable housing solutions for low-income families in Las Vegas Downtown.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular housing units adapt to family sizes from 1 to 5 residents.
02
A top-floor co-living area accommodates 9 individuals for communal living.
03
Collective spaces are arranged diagonally to enhance social interaction.
04
The design incorporates a greywater collection system for water reuse.
05
Community garden on the roof promotes ecological awareness and green space.

The Diagonal Building is located in Las Vegas Downtown and aims to meet the demand for affordable housing for low-income families. It embodies a design focused on affordability, flexibility, and efficiency, creating a sustainable living option in an urban setting. Modular housing solutions allow for adaptable living spaces, making it a practical choice for diverse residents.

Design Concept and Modular Housing

The design employs modular housing units that can accommodate between 1 to 5 residents. A larger co-living space on the top floor is intended for 9 people, promoting shared living. This variety of housing configurations addresses the different needs of families, making the spaces versatile and functional.

Collective Spaces and Vertical Organization

The building’s layout includes two vertical circulation cores and a diagonal arrangement of collective spaces. These spaces connect different sections of the building and encourage social interaction among residents. This design creates an engaging pattern of "fulls and voids," enhanced with lively colors that distinguish communal areas and foster a sense of community.

Sustainability Features

Sustainability is important in the design of the Diagonal Building. The structure is built to adapt to the solar conditions typical of Las Vegas, ensuring proper insulation and ventilation. It incorporates a solar panel system for energy efficiency and a greywater collector for recycling water. A community garden on the top floor adds green space while promoting ecological responsibility in the urban environment.

Materials and Finishes

Materials used in the Diagonal Building are chosen for their durability and visual appeal. Porcelain and gypsum contribute to a strong yet cohesive interior, while steel elements provide structural support. These selections allow for flexible arrangements within the spaces, enhancing comfort and usability for residents.

The exterior design features a diagonal layout along with bright colors, which create visual interest. The arrangement encourages residents to explore and interact with their environment, enriching their living experience.

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Enter an open architecture
competition now

Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
The Architect’s 
Stair
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Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

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

Open architecture competitions

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    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge

AIA (American Institute of Architects) invites you to design affordable housing in Denver

Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 18 September 2025

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

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