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Community Living Through Limited-Equity and Sustainable Materials

Authors:
Shruti Shankar, Helen Cheuk, Lynn Azali, David Nicholson
Community Living Through Limited-Equity and Sustainable Materials

Project in-detail

Designed for community engagement, the Helix Tower utilizes a limited-equity co-operative model and sustainable materials to create affordable housing that maximizes underutilized urban land.
5 key facts about this project
01
Limited-equity model fosters community ownership and involvement.
02
Modular design allows for incremental growth and adaptation.
03
Communal living areas can serve multiple functions throughout the day.
04
Utilizes unused urban land for housing solutions.
05
Focus on integrating sustainable materials for cost-effective construction.

CO/OPPORTUNITY is a not-for-profit housing initiative aimed at addressing the ongoing issue of housing affordability in Hong Kong. The design focuses on the Helix Tower, a structure that seeks to redefine traditional housing models by promoting community involvement through a limited equity co-operative model. Located within the urban fabric, the project takes advantage of underutilized spaces, offering a fresh approach to residential living in a crowded city.

Modularity and Adaptability

The design prioritizes modularity as a key concept. The Helix Tower has a compact footprint, which allows for an efficient arrangement of living spaces. This modular design maximizes land use and provides flexibility, enabling the tower to evolve as the community's needs change over time. The stacking of units allows for a dynamic living environment that can grow with its residents.

Financial and Community Engagement

CO/OPPORTUNITY introduces an innovative funding model, enabling community members to contribute through technology-driven crowd-sourced capital. This method removes intermediaries, allowing residents to invest using a mix of cash and sweat equity. By participating in the development process, residents gain a sense of ownership, which strengthens their connection to the community and fosters a shared responsibility for their living environment.

Intensive Space Usage

The design incorporates the concept of intensive space usage, allowing for a blend of residential and communal areas. Each floor is designed with multifunctional spaces that adapt throughout the day. Communal living rooms can serve as productive work zones during the day, promoting interaction among residents. This adaptability not only enhances social engagement but also optimizes the use of available space.

Sustainability and Cost Efficiency

While specific materials are not detailed, the focus on sustainability and cost efficiency is evident. CO/OPPORTUNITY aims to lower construction costs by utilizing local labor and sustainable practices. This approach ensures that the housing remains affordable while supporting the broader goal of environmental sustainability in the urban landscape. By structuring the project this way, it serves as a feasible model for future housing developments.

The design of the Helix Tower encourages a mix of private and shared spaces, creating an environment that nurtures relationships and community involvement. This blending of functions stands as a testament to a new way of thinking about urban living.

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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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