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Curvilinear Brick Façade Enhancing Co-Living in Rome

Author:
Caleb White
Curvilinear Brick Façade Enhancing Co-Living in Rome

Project in-detail

A curvilinear brick façade creates an engaging urban presence, while shared co-living spaces foster community interaction in a densely populated area of Rome.
5 key facts about this project
01
Curvilinear brick façade enhances visual interest and street engagement.
02
Co-living units promote shared living experiences among residents.
03
Public amenities include a fitness center and roof garden accessible to all.
04
Interior circulation is designed as three-dimensional streets for better connectivity.
05
Location in Testaccio connects residents to a vibrant urban community.

The project located in Testaccio, Rome, responds to the pressing need for affordable housing in urban areas. With the cost of living in major cities on the rise, it offers a solution that promotes community living. The design integrates residential units with shared spaces in a way that encourages social interaction. Overall, the design concept focuses on creating a friendly atmosphere where pedestrians can easily navigate and engage with each other and their environment.

Design Concept

The design aims to connect the building directly to the lively streets of Testaccio. Instead of typical high-rise structures, it features a layout that resembles the experience of walking through a neighborhood. This design choice fosters interactions among residents and makes the space feel more open and accessible. By prioritizing community, the project helps break down barriers between people and spaces.

Co-Living Spaces

Units in the building are developed as co-living spaces, allowing residents to share not only their homes but also essential amenities. This approach moves away from individual ownership, which can create isolation. Instead, there are shared kitchens, living rooms, and dining areas, along with public spaces such as a fitness center, café, roof garden, and retail stalls. These shared facilities promote a sense of belonging and provide a platform for social engagement.

Materiality and Facade

The facade of the building draws inspiration from Rome's architectural traditions, featuring curvilinear forms that reference local brickwork. This connection to the city's history adds character and warmth to the design. The use of pre-fabricated brick units that are hung from precast concrete decking contributes to efficiency while ensuring alignment with traditional building practices.

Integrating Community Interaction

Communal spaces are thoughtfully placed throughout the building, designed to encourage interaction not only among residents but also with the public. These areas provide opportunities for everyone to come together. By making amenities accessible to both residents and visitors, the project helps create a lively environment. Revenue generated from these spaces can assist in lowering living costs for residents.

The careful design of the facade, with its inviting forms and integration of public areas, encourages engagement with the building while respectfully referencing the historical context of Testaccio.

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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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