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Courtyard-Centric Living with Integrated Balconies in Rome's Historical Context

Authors:
Allison Lamar, Todd Blackburn
Courtyard-Centric Living with Integrated Balconies in Rome's Historical Context

Project in-detail

A spacious courtyard integrates multiple access points while enhanced with balconies that connect residential units to communal areas, creating an environment suited for short-term living in the heart of Rome.
5 key facts about this project
01
Central courtyard promotes communal interaction within an urban setting.
02
Multiple open entrances create inviting access from the street.
03
Balconies on each residential unit offer views into the community space.
04
64 residential units are designed for short-term living arrangements.
05
Public amenities are strategically placed on the ground level for easy use.

The San Giacomo Co-Living Facility is located in the historic San Giacomo Hospital on Via del Corso in Rome. It serves individuals seeking short-term housing, such as tourists and those transitioning between living arrangements. The design emphasizes communal living, bringing together private residential units with shared spaces that promote interaction among residents.

Central Courtyard

At the heart of the design is a large courtyard that functions as a communal space, inviting social activities and engagement. Multiple entrances provide easy access, encouraging movement from the busy streets outside into the peaceful courtyard. This area acts as a focal point where residents can gather, creating a blend of private living and community life.

Residential Units

The facility includes 64 residential units that accommodate a variety of living arrangements for singles, couples, and small families. Each unit is designed with practicality in mind, featuring small kitchens and lounges to support daily living. This thoughtful layout helps foster a sense of belonging among residents while ensuring their individual needs are met.

Public Amenities

The ground level is dedicated to public amenities such as a communal kitchen, a retail area, a gym, and a business center. These spaces encourage residents to interact and participate in community life. By placing these facilities on the ground floor, the design considers accessibility, making it easy for residents to use shared resources.

Architectural Language

The building features various angles and openings, creating visual interest and facilitating movement throughout the space. This architectural approach enhances the appearance of the structure while promoting a functional flow within the facility. Each residential floor also includes balconies that overlook the courtyard, connecting personal spaces with the communal area below.

The design emphasizes a balance between individual privacy and community interaction, resulting in an environment that meets the demands of modern urban living while respecting the historical context of Rome.

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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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