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Compact Cube With Wooden Facades and Rooftop Garden for Urban Living

Authors:
Maria pia Assaf, Aline Abou serhal
Compact Cube With Wooden Facades and Rooftop Garden for Urban Living

Project in-detail

A compact cube with wooden facades and a rooftop garden provides self-sufficient urban housing, designed to maximize space within dense city environments.
5 key facts about this project
01
Uses adaptable sliding units for versatile interior configurations.
02
Incorporates a rooftop garden for sustainable urban greenery.
03
Designed to fit within the footprint of standard parking spaces.
04
Fixed wooden facades provide durability and aesthetic appeal.
05
Starts as a compact 3x3 meter cube, expandable to 9 meters.

The POPUP HOUSE project aims to provide affordable housing in crowded urban areas facing a shortage of space. By designing micro-houses that fit within the footprint of standard parking spaces, it makes efficient use of underutilized land. The concept focuses on practicality and adaptability, creating self-sufficient living environments that are suitable for modern urban lifestyles.

Design Concept

The architecture of the POPUP HOUSE starts with a compact cube measuring 3x3 meters, which can expand to 9 meters. This modular design allows for the house to fit into different urban contexts, whether by extending onto existing buildings, utilizing vacant facades, or transforming rooftops into livable areas. The project also incorporates the “5th wall” idea, recognizing rooftops as valuable spaces that can enhance urban living.

Functional Layout

Each unit is designed to be self-sufficient, including essential features like a kitchen and bathroom along with adaptable living spaces. Fixed rooms with wooden facades serve as stable areas for sanitary needs, providing basic comfort. In addition, sliding rooms allow for flexible living spaces, which can change according to the occupants' activities. This adaptability is particularly useful in environments where space is limited.

Sustainability Features

Sustainability is an important component of the POPUP HOUSE. The design integrates a mini rooftop garden that contributes to urban greenery while collecting rainwater for practical use. These features not only support environmental goals but also enhance the quality of life for residents by connecting them to nature within a cityscape.

Modular Options

The project includes various configurations to cater to different occupant needs. Options range from a compact unit with one bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom, to an extension unit with additional bedrooms and living space, and a full extension version that accommodates larger families. This flexibility ensures that the design can adapt to the changing needs of its users over time.

Attention to detail in the sliding and fixed elements enhances the living experience, allowing for changes that reflect the demands of urban life. Each adjustment presents more options for customization, ensuring that these homes remain relevant and functional well into the future.

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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

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