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Community Integration Through Flexible Layouts Inspired by Ecological Principles

Authors:
Yixin Ren, Na Wang
Community Integration Through Flexible Layouts Inspired by Ecological Principles

Project in-detail

Inspired by the adaptability of the octopus, a flexible layout enhances community integration and provides affordable housing solutions in Paris.
5 key facts about this project
01
Inspired by the octopus, the design emphasizes adaptability in living spaces.
02
The project features a range of housing options, including family and romantic rooms.
03
Community spaces integrate gardens to enhance social interaction among residents.
04
Attention to climate ensures thermal comfort and natural light throughout the year.
05
Flexible layouts facilitate diverse living arrangements while promoting a sense of belonging.

The Bio-threshold affordable housing project offers a thoughtful solution to the pressing need for affordable living spaces in Paris. It aims to create a connection between residents and their environment while addressing urban housing challenges. The design draws inspiration from the octopus, a creature known for its ability to adapt, symbolizing the flexible and responsive nature of the living spaces. The overall goal is to foster community and encourage interaction among residents.

Site Analysis

The site analysis focuses on the integration of private and public spaces, enhancing urban living through careful spatial arrangement. Communal areas are designed to promote social interactions while maintaining personal privacy. Given that many housing units in Paris are small, the project provides a range of options, including basic rooms, pro-basic rooms, romantic rooms, and family rooms. This variety caters to different needs and lifestyle preferences.

Climate Considerations

Understanding the climate of Paris plays a crucial role in the design choices made throughout the project. With average temperatures of 19.4°C in July and lows of 3.3°C in January, the architecture responds to these conditions. Features are integrated to improve thermal comfort and utilize natural light and airflow throughout the year. This consideration allows for a more sustainable way of living in an urban environment.

Community Integration

Community integration is central to the design philosophy. The project incorporates gardens and recreational spaces to encourage green interactions among residents and build a sense of belonging. Features such as garden stairs and connections between buildings enhance movement and visibility, facilitating connections among different areas of the housing complex.

The result is a living environment that balances individual privacy with shared experiences, aiming to enrich the daily lives of residents while fitting comfortably within the context of Paris.

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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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