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Elevated Community Spaces with Integrated Megafloor Design

Authors:
Caitlin Mulligan, Malte Wilms, Gabriel Fortenbacher
Elevated Community Spaces with Integrated Megafloor Design
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The integration of a suspended Megafloor creates multifunctional community spaces that enhance urban living, promoting social interaction while accommodating diverse residential needs in London.
5 key facts about this project
01
Suspended Megafloor allows for multi-use spaces, enhancing community engagement.
02
Private pavilions foster individual expression within a shared living environment.
03
Design includes "streets in the sky" to promote vertical interaction among residents.
04
Community spaces are integrated into the building’s structure to facilitate social gatherings.
05
Flexible housing arrangements adapt to varying resident needs over time.

The design focuses on creating a sense of community, accessibility, and affordability in the urban setting of London. It proposes a hybrid housing model inspired by the principles of Peter and Alison Smithson's Robin Hood Gardens. The aim is to reinterpret traditional house types as functional machines that incorporate various programs, allowing them to coexist and serve as social spaces. This balance merges industrial design with domestic life.

Megafloor Functionality

At the heart of the design is the Megafloor. This suspended space acts as a multifunctional area that can host many activities. It can serve as a parking lot, temporary living space, film set, social area, or market. This variety highlights its adaptability to the community’s changing needs. The layout promotes an open flow, encouraging people to interact while supporting different styles of living.

Residential Connectivity

Above the Megafloor, the housing units are designed with connectivity in mind. The arrangement includes various access points, differing lighting conditions, and spaces for social interaction. These features are reflective of the "streets in the sky" concept. Ramps access every floor, creating shared voids that serve as social spaces. This design strategy fosters a sense of belonging and encourages residents to connect with one another.

Participatory Ethos

The project incorporates a communal approach by encouraging participation in the planning and building process. Rethinking ownership allows residents to feel more invested in their community. This plan promotes cooperation and ensures that diverse voices are included in development. It addresses social and cultural differences while responding to the unique needs of the inhabitants.

Private Pavilions

An important aspect of the design is the inclusion of private pavilions, which are only accessible to the residents. These spaces are meant for personal use, giving residents the chance to express themselves within a shared environment. This arrangement provides balance, allowing for personal privacy alongside community living.

Elevated Community Deck

The architectural structure allows for both vertical and horizontal growth, taking cues from the maisonette style in the original Smithson work. A shared deck at the roof level provides outdoor space that encourages interaction among residents. This area offers views of the surrounding urban landscape and promotes a sense of community among those living in the building.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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