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Dome-Shaped Community Hub Utilizing Recycled Materials for Enhanced Safety and Sustainability

Authors:
Deny Jones, Lukas Salomon
Dome-Shaped Community Hub Utilizing Recycled Materials for Enhanced Safety and Sustainability

Project in-detail

Constructed with a dome-shaped design and utilizing recycled materials, the Community Safety Hub offers a resilient space for shelter and healthcare, fostering community engagement and recovery in a post-conflict environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using locally sourced rubble and recycled materials to minimize environmental impact.
02
Features a dome structure designed for enhanced structural integrity against potential threats.
03
Incorporates modular housing units that allow for community-specific adaptations over time.
04
Utilizes agricultural waste for insulation, promoting sustainability and resource efficiency.
05
Engages local residents in the construction process, fostering skills development and community ownership.

### Overview

Located in the Saltivka neighborhood of Ukraine, the project aims to revitalize areas impacted by conflict and decay. Intending to meet immediate humanitarian needs, the design establishes a framework for community interaction and resilient reconstruction. The proposal outlines innovative architectural solutions that leverage local materials and participatory construction techniques, advocating for community involvement throughout the rebuilding process.

### Community Safety Hub

The design features a **Community Safety Hub**, which serves as a multifaceted facility delivering shelter, healthcare, and spaces for social gatherings. This adaptable structure is intended for replication across various regions in Ukraine to enhance disaster response efforts. It incorporates a dual architectural response addressing the threats posed by previous attacks, ensuring occupant safety with reinforced safety measures while concurrently fostering a sense of community through accessible gathering spaces.

The design emphasizes collective memory and identity, integrating opportunities for resident engagement in the construction process to promote ownership and community pride. Sustainable practices are central to the approach, employing local materials, including recycled construction waste, to minimize the environmental impact.

### Material Innovations

A diverse range of materials has been utilized to fulfill both functional and aesthetic requirements while prioritizing sustainability. Reinforced concrete serves as the primary structural component, adaptable to local aggregates and byproducts. Reclaimed rubble from demolished buildings is creatively employed to form new architectural elements, minimizing waste during transportation. Agricultural waste is incorporated for insulation and as a composite material, emphasizing a commitment to ecological practices. Lightweight steel frames the dome structures, facilitating efficient construction and offering durability. Locally sourced insulation materials further enhance energy efficiency within the facilities, ensuring comfortable living conditions for inhabitants.

The project actively promotes a participatory construction model that engages local residents, fostering skill development and reinforcing community ties. By allowing individuals to participate in various roles—from unskilled positions to specialized tasks—the initiative strengthens both capability and connection within the community.

### Design Outcomes

The culmination of the design results in key structures that support community resilience. The Community Safety Hub features robust dome-shaped architecture, providing a secure refuge alongside communal spaces. Residential units are designed to foster neighborhood interaction, integrating balconies and communal areas to enhance social connectivity. Additionally, the inclusion of green spaces and communal plazas contributes positively to the urban landscape, promoting usability and community well-being. Safety considerations are paramount, with the Community Safety Hub designed with a dual-layer structure to offer protection from potential threats while ensuring the availability of shared environments for residents.

The Community Safety Hub's flexibility offers rapid assembly capabilities needed in emergency contexts, allowing for potential disassembly and relocation in response to evolving crisis situations. Furthermore, modular housing designs are incorporated to permit adaptations based on community needs, utilizing salvaged materials in innovative facade treatments.

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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
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