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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

Project in-detail

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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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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