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Community Spaces Enhanced by Concrete and Flexible Wood-Framed Structures

Authors:
Noa Machover, Harrison White, Anzia Anderson
Community Spaces Enhanced by Concrete and Flexible Wood-Framed Structures

Project in-detail

Rooftop communal spaces complemented by flexible wood-framed structures redefine communal living in Rome’s Prenestino-Centocelle neighborhood.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rooftop communal areas promote social engagement among residents.
02
Flexible wood-framed structures allow for adaptable interior layouts.
03
Open floor plans enhance natural light and spatial fluidity.
04
Integration of multifunctional kitchens supports collaborative living.
05
Proximity of residential units encourages a strong community connection.

The project is located in the Prenestino-Centocelle neighborhood of Rome and focuses on creating communal living spaces within an area characterized by a fragmented urban environment. The design concept aims to facilitate interactions among diverse residents, including families, students, and the elderly. By integrating residential units with communal facilities, the objective is to foster cooperation and shared responsibilities, addressing some of the isolation found in traditional urban housing.

Design Concept

The design centers around the idea of blending private and communal spaces. Communal kitchens, living areas, and recreational spaces are incorporated to encourage social interaction. This thoughtful arrangement strives to counteract the seclusion that often comes with privatized living spaces, promoting a sense of collaboration and community among residents.

Spatial Organization

Accessibility is a key focus in the layout. The plan ensures that movement between private and shared areas is easy. This feature is crucial for creating a friendly environment for pedestrians, especially in Prenestino-Centocelle, where public spaces are sparse, and car infrastructure often dominates. By placing communal facilities close to residential units, the design aims to nurture a sense of sociability and connectedness.

Materiality and Structure

The project employs principles of efficiency and resilience in its design approach. According to the presentation, concrete buildings will have non-loadbearing walls removed to allow for open floor plans that create flexible spaces. Wood-framed structures will retain shear walls, preserving their stability while allowing for adaptable interiors. This choice of structural strategies reflects contemporary goals in urban development.

Movement and Interaction

An important aspect of the design is to encourage interactions among residents. The residential units are arranged to enhance social connectivity, accommodating various family sizes and living arrangements. The layout promotes not only individual living experiences but also opportunities for communal gatherings. This design aims to ensure that residents can engage naturally, fostering a welcoming living environment.

The rooftops are designed as vibrant gathering spaces, complete with areas for relaxation and informal activities, allowing residents to enjoy views of their neighborhood while contributing to a sense of community.

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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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