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Cross Laminated Timber Housing Integrating Steel Grids and Shared Living Spaces

Authors:
Sara Badalinezhad, Diego de la Maza, Leon Ladišić, Derya Ucan
Cross Laminated Timber Housing Integrating Steel Grids and Shared Living Spaces

Project in-detail

Cross Laminated Timber forms a resilient framework supported by a steel grid, creating adaptable housing that enhances community living through shared amenities and efficient spatial configurations.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cross-laminated timber provides structural versatility while enhancing thermal performance.
02
A central core integrates essential shared wet units efficiently, reducing redundancy.
03
Adaptable spaces can be easily reconfigured for various community activities.
04
The steel grid framework supports vertical and horizontal connections throughout the building.
05
Community amenities are strategically positioned to promote resident interaction and accessibility.

Set in the urban landscape of Berlin, the design focuses on creating adaptable housing solutions that cater to modern needs. The approach emphasizes a modular system that allows for flexibility in how spaces are used. By encouraging communal living, the design fosters interactions among residents while addressing issues of affordability and sustainability.

Core Structure

At the center of the layout is a core that facilitates movement between floors through stairs and elevators. This core houses essential “wet units,” which include shared kitchens, bathrooms, and showers. By having these facilities available to all residents, the design minimizes redundancy common in traditional housing, enhancing the communal aspect of living.

Adaptable Spaces

Surrounding the core, adaptable spaces are created for varied functions. These can shift between social use, such as living areas and gardens, or become additional wet units if needed. This kind of flexibility supports different lifestyles, including co-living scenarios and those with larger families. Residents can tailor their space according to their needs at any given time.

Materials and Structure

The project uses a steel grid framework, which provides necessary strength and stability to the structure. This framework allows for walls and floors made from Cross Laminated Timber (CLT). This choice of materials contributes to both the aesthetic and the environmental aspects of the design, promoting effective energy use and sustainable practices throughout its lifespan.

Community Integration

Community amenities are placed strategically within the base of the building. These include retail areas, libraries, and daycare centers, ensuring that daily services are easily accessible. This integration promotes a strong connection between the residents and their neighborhood, encouraging informal interactions that support a vibrant communal life.

The thoughtful design balances public and private areas, ensuring that private units are positioned for privacy. Each unit is designed to provide comfort, while shared spaces allow residents to engage with one another. The overall composition creates a living environment that supports both community and individual needs, paving the way for a new approach to urban housing.

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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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