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Community Living Enhanced By Modular Design Featuring Insulated Panels And Natural Material Integration

Authors:
Christian Casallas, Juan Antonio Ramírez Sáenz, Tomás Ramírez Sáenz, Hernan Gomez
Community Living Enhanced By Modular Design Featuring Insulated Panels And Natural Material Integration

Project in-detail

Modular housing units crafted from prefabricated insulated panels and local materials establish a sustainable living environment that fosters economic activity and community cohesion in Bogotá.
5 key facts about this project
01
Community spaces are integrated within the housing units to encourage social interaction and local commerce.
02
Prefabricated insulated panels reduce construction time and enhance thermal efficiency.
03
Recycled materials are prioritized to minimize environmental impact in the design.
04
The layout facilitates live-work environments, supporting entrepreneurial activities.
05
Natural ventilation is optimized through strategically placed openings in the modular design.

## Project Overview
This design initiative focuses on reinterpreting tenement houses within La Candelaria, Bogotá, a neighborhood notable for its cultural and historical context. The project addresses the recent surge in housing demand driven by migration, while prioritizing community cohesion, economic opportunities, and environmental concerns. The design integrates affordable housing solutions with commercial spaces, creating functional environments for low-income residents.

## Modular Housing Strategy
The architectural approach emphasizes the development of adaptable living units structured as modular components. These modules are designed to accommodate varying family sizes and needs, allowing for flexibility in usage. Each unit features amenities that promote diverse functions—living, dining, and working—ensuring that spaces can evolve as resident requirements change. The layout also includes communal areas and gardens that encourage social interaction and shared experiences among inhabitants, enhancing the overall living environment.

## Material and Sustainability Considerations
The selected materials strive to balance aesthetic appeal with ecological responsibility. Key components include durable concrete slabs for structural support, insulated Kingspan roof panels to improve energy efficiency, and Solatube skylights to maximize natural daylight. The use of recycled materials is prioritized to minimize the environmental impact. Additionally, features such as rainwater harvesting and energy optimization methods are integrated into the design, reinforcing the commitment to sustainability while responding to Bogotá's climate.

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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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