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Cross-Laminated Timber Housing Within Underutilized Parking Structures

Authors:
Chang Lu, Tianyu Zhao, Shaha Maiteh
Cross-Laminated Timber Housing Within Underutilized Parking Structures

Project in-detail

Cross-laminated timber transforms underutilized parking garages into efficient housing units, addressing San Francisco's pressing need for affordable living spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Repurposes state-owned parking garages for residential use.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber for structural efficiency.
03
Offers flexible unit sizes catering to diverse demographics.
04
Integrates communal spaces to foster community interaction.
05
Enhances urban density in response to local housing shortages.

The design addresses the issue of housing affordability in San Francisco by integrating residential units into parking structures in the downtown area. The project focuses on state-owned garages that serve the financial district, where vehicles occupy the space during the day but are largely empty at night. This initiative looks to change the existing function of these buildings, turning them into livable spaces that respond to the city's urgent need for more housing.

Design Concept

Repurposing parking garages creates an opportunity to transform underused urban spaces into homes. The idea is to modify the structures to incorporate residential living while maintaining their original purpose. By extending the façades of these garages, the design introduces new housing options into a dense urban environment. The approach is practical, maximizing existing infrastructure to alleviate the housing crisis impacting low- and moderate-income residents.

Living Units

The project offers a variety of living unit types to cater to different occupants. Sizes range from 16.2 square meters for individuals up to 39.6 square meters for families. This careful planning ensures that a wide demographic can find suitable space, addressing the diverse needs of those who live in the city. The units are designed to be functional and comfortable, providing essential amenities.

Materiality and Sustainability

Cross-laminated timber is used as the primary building material for the living units. This choice supports modern sustainable practices, offering structural stability and environmental friendliness. Using cross-laminated timber helps reduce the carbon footprint while creating a warm and inviting space. The material selection reflects a growing trend towards eco-friendly construction, which is essential in urban settings.

Community Integration

The design also includes communal spaces to encourage social interaction among residents. This aspect is important for building a sense of community, especially in a busy city where many may feel isolated. The layout promotes accessibility, facilitating connections among neighbors while allowing for private living areas.

Careful consideration is given to natural light and ventilation within the units. This attention to detail fosters a comfortable living environment. By adapting the parking structures, the project adds value to the urban landscape, providing essential housing while addressing the city’s growing challenges.

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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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