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Community Engagement Through Interactive Spaces and Urban Morphotypes

Authors:
Nadezda Vozzhaeva, Uliana Zhomnir, Fedor Shemyakin
Community Engagement Through Interactive Spaces and Urban Morphotypes

Project in-detail

Engaging local residents through a digital platform, the design integrates unique urban morphotypes to activate underutilized spaces for communal living and interaction in Rome.
5 key facts about this project
01
Engages community members through a digital platform that allows for collective decision-making on urban space use.
02
Incorporates various morphotypes tailored to specific communal needs and urban contexts.
03
Transforms underutilized areas into vibrant communal spaces that encourage interaction.
04
Prioritizes flexibility in housing design to adapt to changing community dynamics.
05
Emphasizes a strong connection to Rome's historical context while addressing modern living challenges.

The design located in Rome serves as a response to urban living, blending the city's historical character with modern needs. Centered around the Roman Archi Alphabet system, the intent is to combine the unique qualities of the city with a more universal framework focused on community and social connection. The project aims to breathe life into underutilized spaces by creating shared areas and adaptable housing.

MORPHOTYPES FOR COMMUNITY LIVING

Several morphotypes are introduced in the design, each tailored to address specific community needs. The House morphotype is intended for smaller communities, helping fill gaps within the urban layout and fostering a sense of togetherness. The Quarter morphotype is designed for families, aiming to repair the fragmented sections of the urban environment.

Courtyards provide gathering spaces inserted into the urban context, promoting connections among residents. Meanwhile, the Pointer morphotype is placed along busy transport routes, ideal for larger communities that thrive in lively areas. The Island morphotype focuses on narrower urban spaces, attracting students and individuals seeking a more vibrant lifestyle.

PARTICIPATORY PLANNING AND USER ENGAGEMENT

The ROMEANETWORK app plays a crucial role in enabling residents to identify underused spaces in the city. This digital tool invites community members to participate in the planning process, allowing them to suggest potential uses for these areas. By encouraging collective decision-making, the project aims to ensure that communal spaces genuinely reflect the aspirations of the people who live there.

The morphotypes work in harmony with this participatory approach, emphasizing the importance of community identity. Once a coliving arrangement is established, residents are involved in deciding on the design of shared spaces. This method promotes social interaction, creating environments that adapt to the needs and preferences of those who inhabit them.

DESIGN INTEGRATION AND CONTEXTUAL RESPONSE

Attention is given to how individual units fit within the wider context of Rome. Each element is designed to resonate with the city's historical and cultural backdrop while addressing modern urban challenges. The flexibility of the housing units allows them to adjust over time in response to changing community needs.

Careful design details enhance the project, with communal areas that invite interaction. The layout encourages informal gatherings, generating an atmosphere that reflects the rich tradition of community life in the city. The architecture interacts thoughtfully with its surroundings, merging contemporary forms with Roman characteristics to create a cohesive urban experience.

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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

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