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Cross-Laminated Timber Housing with Integrated Community Gardens in an Urban Landscape

Author:
Sergio Sebastian Salas
Cross-Laminated Timber Housing with Integrated Community Gardens in an Urban Landscape

Project in-detail

Showcasing cross-laminated timber construction and thoughtfully designed communal gardens, this housing initiative offers affordable living solutions integrated into Los Angeles' urban environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed primarily with cross-laminated timber panels to enhance sustainability and durability.
02
Incorporates communal gardens designed to foster community interaction among residents.
03
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced weather resistance and aesthetic appeal.
04
Features a bent A-frame design that optimizes natural light and ventilation.
05
Offers modular units that can be expanded based on community needs and feedback.

### Project Overview

Grid 45 addresses the critical shortage of affordable housing in Los Angeles, a region grappling with rising property values and heightened demand. This initiative aims to provide not only housing solutions but also a comprehensive community framework that integrates social and environmental considerations. The project is designed to foster support and interaction among residents, reflecting an understanding of the contemporary urban landscape.

### Spatial Strategy and Community Integration

The design incorporates modularity and sustainability through prefabricated units, which facilitate efficient construction and a responsive approach to housing shortages. The arrangement of residential spaces is strategically optimized to cultivate a sense of community, blending private living with ample communal areas. The configuration promotes social interaction, ensuring a supportive neighborhood dynamic while accommodating individual needs.

### Materiality and Environmental Considerations

The architectural aesthetic features terraced units characterized by angular forms and extensive overhangs, which serve both functional and visual purposes. Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) is employed as the primary structural material due to its sustainable properties and prefabrication efficiency. Additional materials include glass panels for facades to enhance natural light, durable concrete for foundations, and metal cladding for roofing, all contributing to the contemporary visual identity of the project. Soft landscaping elements, such as palm trees and communal green spaces, further enhance the environmental quality, promoting ecological balance within the urban setting.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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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