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Community Living Supported by Dormitory-Style Solutions and Integrated Courtyards

Authors:
Jugal Ahuja, Zalmy Meyer
Community Living Supported by Dormitory-Style Solutions and Integrated Courtyards

Project in-detail

Dormitory-style living combined with integrated courtyards and communal kitchens creates a supportive framework for low-income residents, emphasizing wellness and community interaction in an urban setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Residential units utilize a flexible modular design to optimize space and adapt to various site conditions.
02
Dormitory-style apartments promote shared living while maintaining private rooms for individual residents.
03
Integrated communal kitchens facilitate cooking and workshops aimed at skill development.
04
Open courtyards enhance visibility and community engagement, promoting safety among residents.
05
Ground-level retail spaces create job opportunities and support local economic activity within the community.

The Rubik is a social housing project that addresses the needs of low-income residents in an urban area facing many challenges. With a focus on creating a supportive environment, the design integrates communal spaces and individual living units to enhance both personal and community well-being. By emphasizing collaboration and connection, the project aims to change how residents interact with their surroundings and each other.

Conceptual Framework

The design is built around three essential categories: Mental Wellness, Physical Wellness, and Community Gathering. Each element is carefully integrated to create an environment that supports both individual and collective needs. This holistic approach helps tackle common social barriers, encouraging residents to engage with one another while improving their overall quality of life.

Spatial Organization

The residential units use a modular design to make the best use of space. Dormitory-style apartments allow single residents to share common areas while still having their own private rooms for rest. This design not only maximizes capacity but also promotes a sense of community among those living together.

Community Amenities

Communal spaces are a key feature of the Rubik. Outdoor areas, such as basketball courts and playgrounds, act as social hubs where residents can interact and build relationships. Additionally, communal kitchens and educational spaces enable workshops for skill building and personal growth. These amenities create opportunities for sharing knowledge and experiences, enriching the lives of residents.

Safety and Engagement

Safety is a primary concern within the design. Open courtyards enhance visibility and promote community interaction, making residents feel secure. Retail spaces at ground level also play an important role in the project. These spaces encourage local business and provide job opportunities for residents, helping to strengthen community ties.

The Rubik illustrates a modern approach to social housing, where living spaces are designed not only for residents' individual needs but also for the community's collective well-being. Thoughtful arrangements create an atmosphere that fosters connection, belonging, and personal development.

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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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