Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Colorful Facades and Community Interaction in a Rental Housing Development

Authors:
Ekaterina Lavrinenko, Olga Garanina, Olesya Opara
Colorful Facades and Community Interaction in a Rental Housing Development

Project in-detail

Colorful facades inspired by color psychology create a welcoming urban environment in a rental housing development designed to foster community interaction and adaptability.
5 key facts about this project
01
Colorful facades utilize color psychology to enhance mood.
02
Integration of the Tiber River's water system map influences circulation.
03
Four adaptable building typologies cater to varying site conditions.
04
Shared communal kitchens serve as social hubs for residents.
05
Elevated pathways exclusively connect residents to private spaces.

The design addresses the need for rental housing in Rome, a city known for its rich history and diverse culture. The proposal focuses on using color psychology to enhance the living experience. By marrying modern design principles with elements drawn from the city's architectural context, the goal is to create spaces that promote emotional well-being and foster a sense of community among residents.

Color Psychology

At the core of the design lies the principle of color psychology, which plays a significant role in shaping mood and comfort within living spaces. Utilizing warm colors, the design seeks to create an inviting atmosphere that encourages social interaction. This thoughtful approach aims to make residents feel connected to their surroundings, cultivating a welcoming and supportive environment.

Adaptable Typologies

Four distinct building typologies are proposed to adapt to different site conditions. These types are arranged using a grid system that organizes the various components of the structure. This grid not only ensures visual interest through colorful facades but also fosters a diverse urban landscape. The design takes cues from familiar architectural styles in the area, preserving the historical context of Rome while offering modern housing solutions.

Connectivity and Circulation

An interesting feature of the design is the incorporation of the Tiber River's water system map into the master plan. This element creates a series of elevated pathways that enhance movement within the community. Access to these pathways is limited to residents, promoting both connectivity and privacy. With this thoughtful layout, different parts of the development are cohesively linked, allowing for easy navigation throughout the space.

Community Interaction

The arrangement of spaces emphasizes the balance between public and private areas. Individual living spaces are separated from the communal zones, allowing residents to retreat when needed. The shared kitchens and dining areas are key components, designed as social hubs where residents can gather. Equipped with essential amenities and large tables, these spaces invite interaction and collaboration. Co-working areas on each floor further promote engagement, offering versatile environments for residents to work together or independently.

The careful design of these elements helps create an environment where residents feel at home while encouraging a vibrant community spirit. By focusing on both individual comfort and collective experiences, the design reflects the complexities of modern urban living in Rome.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

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

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy