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Community Living Center with Recycled Denim and Paper Tubes

Authors:
Sharad Maithel, Puneet Dua, Rameez raza Gesawat
Community Living Center with Recycled Denim and Paper Tubes

Project in-detail

Constructed using recycled denim and paper tubes, the community living center emphasizes sustainability and adaptability, serving as a vibrant hub for shared experiences and daily activities.
5 key facts about this project
01
Recycled denim and paper tubes are used for insulation and structural support.
02
The design incorporates adaptable mezzanine extensions for flexible living.
03
Community spaces encourage interaction through shared kitchens and laundry facilities.
04
Nodes and plazas create informal gathering areas enhancing social connections.
05
Construction is phased to respect the surrounding cemetery's historical context.

The proposed design is situated in an urban environment similar to Paris, focusing on contemporary communal living while drawing from the context of prehistoric settlements. The aim is to create a connected community where social interaction is at the forefront. By organizing the space into nodes and plazas, the design promotes a balanced relationship between public and private areas, enhancing the quality of life for residents.

Spatial Organization

The design relies on a network of nodes and plazas that are strategically placed to foster community interaction. These gathering spaces are located near living units, bridging the connection between individual homes and shared experiences. This layout encourages residents to engage with one another, fostering a greater sense of belonging within the urban community.

Unit Configuration

Each living unit features a compact design, focusing on essential spaces for resting, working, sleeping, and sanitation. This configuration promotes communal living by providing shared kitchens and laundry facilities that act as central hubs. By utilizing every square foot efficiently, the design supports a lifestyle geared toward shared experiences and responsibilities.

Community Facilities

The community center is an important element of the design, serving as a multifunctional space for gatherings, celebrations, and various recreational activities. This facility adds liveliness to the environment and encourages residents to come together for different events. The design of the community center reflects the project's core intention of promoting social interaction and fostering a sense of community.

Sustainability Measures

Sustainability is an essential aspect, with a focus on using materials that minimize environmental impact. The design incorporates paper tubes, wood, and recycled denim for insulation. These choices highlight an effort to reduce the overall ecological footprint and allow for ease of modification in response to future needs. The phased implementation plan also considers the historical context, beginning with the development of residential spaces around existing cemeteries and gradually expanding into a dynamic living area.

The internal height of each unit facilitates adaptability, allowing for potential mezzanine extensions that cater to evolving resident needs. This flexibility enhances the overall living experience and encourages a sense of personal ownership over individual spaces.

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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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