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Courtyard-Centered Community Housing Utilizing Metal Screens and Natural Stone

Author:
Youngki Kim
Courtyard-Centered Community Housing Utilizing Metal Screens and Natural Stone

Project in-detail

Designed with a central courtyard and enhanced by metal screens and natural stone, the housing development prioritizes community interaction while addressing the needs of elderly residents.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes metal screens for enhanced privacy and light modulation throughout communal spaces.
02
Features a central courtyard designed to foster social interactions among residents.
03
Incorporates natural stone pathways that connect various living units and communal areas.
04
Prioritizes accessibility with wide corridors and gentle ramps for ease of movement.
05
Integrates traditional Korean architectural motifs to reflect cultural heritage in a modern context.

## Project Overview

Situated in South Korea, this senior housing facility addresses the evolving needs of the elderly population through a carefully considered design that enhances community engagement and promotes sustainable living practices. By integrating architectural elements with the urban environment, the project aims to create a nurturing atmosphere that supports the daily lives of its residents while reflecting cultural values.

### Spatial Organization and Accessibility

The layout features interconnected clusters comprising living units, communal spaces, and activity rooms designed to promote social cohesion among residents. Open terraces and balconies facilitate outdoor living, expanding functional areas beyond the interiors. A central courtyard serves as a focal point for community interactions, enhanced by greenery and accessible pathways. Attention to accessibility is evident throughout the design, featuring gentle ramps, wide corridors, and thoughtfully positioned handrails, ensuring ease of movement for elderly residents. Furniture and amenities have also been tailored to prioritize comfort and safety.

### Material Selection and Sustainability

Material choices are pivotal in conveying both functionality and aesthetic appeal. Extensive use of glass for façade elements maximizes natural light and fosters a connection with the outdoors. Concrete offers structural integrity and a minimalist aesthetic, while metal screens provide shading and privacy, creating dynamic light patterns in common areas. Natural stone enhances exterior landscaping and pathways, reinforcing the project’s relationship with its site. Sustainable practices are embedded in the design through energy-efficient systems and the incorporation of green elements such as rooftop gardens and living walls, contributing to urban biodiversity and mitigating heat.

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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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