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Cylindrical Housing Units With Structural Panels and Shared Courtyards in San Francisco

Authors:
Ankur Sharma, anurag pandey
Cylindrical Housing Units With Structural Panels and Shared Courtyards in San Francisco

Project in-detail

Radial arrangements of cylindrical housing units atop existing rooftops create sustainable living solutions in San Francisco, enhanced by shared courtyards and environmentally conscious design elements.
5 key facts about this project
01
Radial housing units utilize existing rooftops for efficient space usage.
02
Each unit accommodates up to 40 residents at urban intersections.
03
Shared courtyards promote community interaction and social engagement.
04
Constructed with structural insulated panels for enhanced energy efficiency.
05
Urban advertising elements provide funding while serving a communal purpose.

The architectural design proposed for San Francisco aims to address the growing demand for housing in a city facing significant pressures on its housing supply. With a sharp increase in population and rents over the past decade, there is an urgent need to find new ways to utilize urban spaces. The design focuses on integrating housing units into the existing urban grid, taking advantage of the city’s unique layout to develop practical living solutions.

Concept and Design Approach
The core idea involves placing new housing units on rooftops at city intersections. This strategy allows for a radial arrangement of cylindrical housing units, accommodating around 40 individuals at each site. This design makes efficient use of land while preserving the characteristic urban fabric of San Francisco. Existing structures serve as the foundation for these new units, maintaining the continuity of the environment.

Community Interaction
An important feature of this design is its encouragement of community engagement. Shared courtyards are incorporated to promote social activities among residents, reflecting a traditional aspect of San Francisco's urban planning. Central hammocks in these courtyards are intended to provide relaxing spaces for people to gather and interact. The inclusion of urban advertising serves a practical purpose: it generates revenue to support construction costs while also functioning as a platform for broadcasting local events, thereby enhancing the social fabric of the area.

Proposed Locations
Three potential sites have been identified for this initiative: Ellsworth Street, Hanover Street, and S Van Ness Avenue. Each location presents unique opportunities for blending the new housing with existing neighborhoods, contributing to the overall revitalization of these urban areas.

Materials and Sustainability
The project outlines specific materials intended to enhance durability and ensure sustainability. Structural insulated panels will provide both insulation and structural support while remaining lightweight. Renewable cork sheets will be used in kitchens and bathrooms, chosen for their cost-effectiveness. Recycled plastic tiles are also included to promote environmentally friendly practices. Glazed windows will enhance natural lighting, and thin solar film will be used to improve energy efficiency throughout the residential units.

The design thoughtfully addresses the housing needs of the community while maintaining a connection to the existing urban landscape. The central courtyards not only invite interaction but also generate a sense of place, encouraging a vibrant community atmosphere within the city.

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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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