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Elevated Community Living With Rooftop Green Spaces

Author:
Dora Figueroa
Elevated Community Living With Rooftop Green Spaces

Project in-detail

With modular construction and elevated platforms that preserve land and integrate green spaces, the design provides a self-sufficient community focused on accessibility and diverse housing options.
5 key facts about this project
01
Unique modular construction allows for easy adaptation to site conditions.
02
Elevated structures minimize land occupation while preserving green areas.
03
Community amenities are integrated within a 20-minute walking distance.
04
Diverse housing options cater to varying income levels for inclusivity.
05
Rooftop gardens provide recreational space and enhance biodiversity.

The design located in Melbourne, Australia, aims to tackle the challenges of affordable living and sustainability in an urban setting. By focusing on accessibility, the layout allows residents to meet most of their daily needs within a brief 20-minute journey, whether by walking, biking, or using public transport. The overall concept creates a community that is both self-sufficient and resilient, prioritizing both environmental and social well-being.

Community Structure

A range of housing types has been developed to serve various income levels. From luxury homes to affordable rental units, the design promotes inclusivity and ensures that residents from different economic backgrounds can coexist. Modular constructions are employed to allow for flexibility, adapting to specific site conditions and encouraging innovative uses of space throughout the community.

Spatial Organization

Essential community amenities are strategically placed within the environment. The first level features parks, while affordable housing units are located on Level 03. Level 04 is dedicated to recreational activities, including a playground-amphitheater. These elements are designed to enhance social interactions among residents, fostering a sense of belonging and community spirit.

Sustainability and Land Preservation

A significant focus of the design is land preservation, with new structures carefully integrated into existing landscapes. Elevated buildings reduce the impact on the ground, reflecting a commitment to ecological balance. Green spaces play a crucial role in this project, supporting a vision of net-zero sustainability and highlighting the importance of nature in urban life.

The design includes a rooftop community garden, providing an elevated green area that encourages leisure and biodiversity. This space not only enhances the living environment but also connects residents to nature, fostering a community that values both social interaction and environmental stewardship.

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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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