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Curved Living Spaces Enhanced by Cross Beams in a Compact Urban Setting

Authors:
Noriyuki Hikida, Tetsuya Okazaki
Curved Living Spaces Enhanced by Cross Beams in a Compact Urban Setting

Project in-detail

Curved surfaces and cross beams define a compact two-story residence that revitalizes traditional nagaya living by enhancing community interaction in an urban environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Curved geometry integrates with traditional framework, enhancing structural dynamics.
02
Cross beams replace standard supports, allowing for more open interior spaces.
03
The design promotes natural light and airflow through thoughtful spatial arrangement.
04
Community interaction is fostered through minimized internal barriers.
05
Adaptive layout responds to urban density while preserving privacy for residents.

Folding Nature House is a thoughtful take on traditional Japanese tenement houses, known as nagaya. It addresses modern urban challenges, such as high density and changing social patterns, creating a living environment that supports community connections while meeting the needs of families today. The design emphasizes space efficiency and flexibility, using a compact two-story layout commonly found in nagaya.

Structural Configuration
The building features a three-dimensional form made from two-dimensional curves, which creates a unique appearance that engages with the surrounding area. These curves are not merely decorative; they allow natural light and fresh air to flow into the home. The design maintains the spirit of shared living typical of nagaya while reinforcing the structure, balancing open areas with private spaces.

Cross Beam Integration
Incorporating cross beams into the existing framework is a significant aspect of the design. These beams replace traditional horizontal supports, allowing for larger, open interior spaces while ensuring the building remains stable. The arrangement of these beams creates a network of lines that enhances the spatial experience, blurring the distinction between inside and outside.

Adaptive Space Utilization
Folding Nature House emphasizes minimizing internal space to enhance external connections. This choice fosters a sense of community reminiscent of traditional nagaya living. The design encourages interaction with outdoor areas while still providing privacy for individual residents.

The focus on curves not only adds visual interest but also offers practical benefits. The design allows for better natural resource management, promoting a blend of indoor and outdoor living. This attention to detail highlights how architectural features can create meaningful spaces for people to live and connect.

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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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