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Elevated Community Spaces with Multi-Level Integration

Authors:
Arsh Khanna, Anandit Sharma
Elevated Community Spaces with Multi-Level Integration

Project in-detail

An elevated community house provides panoramic views while integrating multi-level spaces designed for social interaction and sustainable practices.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated community house offers views of the surrounding volcano.
02
Multi-level layout encourages social interaction among visitors.
03
Sociopetal spaces are integrated to promote fluid movement.
04
Designed to facilitate circular economy principles within the community.
05
Includes a shared plaza connecting various functional areas.

The project titled "NORMALISE FOR THE NORMAL EYES" is located in Iceland and focuses on integrating the circular economy into community spaces. It emphasizes transparency and accessibility, creating connections among residents while addressing important environmental issues through thoughtful design. Utilizing the unique landscape, the project forms a layout that encourages interaction and exploration.

Concept and Functionality

The goal is to establish a communal area that promotes engagement and awareness of sustainable practices within the local population. Key components include a second-hand resource exchange building, an exhibition area, a tourist motel, thrift stores, an organic waste collection zone, a community center, a restaurant and café, a public greenhouse, a bio waste management building, and a depot. By strategically placing these elements, the design ensures ease of access while encouraging social connections.

Architectural Features

The design includes a community house elevated to provide impressive views of the nearby volcano. This elevation not only improves the visual experience but also serves as an important focal point for community gatherings. Varied levels within the layout maximize opportunities for engagement and create an environment that invites exploration and interaction.

Spatial Arrangement

Inside the main building, a sociopetal deformed space encourages visitor movement and flow throughout the interior. It opens into a hallway that leads to a main hall designed for various activities. This arrangement enhances the experience for users by promoting social interactions. Recreational rooms on the upper floor are placed near the restaurant area, making it easy for community members to interact.

Plaza and Viewing Platform

A shared roof structure above the main building, restaurant, and greenhouse creates a plaza and viewing platform. This outdoor space is designed for gatherings and reinforces communal ties. It connects users directly to the surrounding environment, supporting a holistic approach to living within the community. The design reflects a clear commitment to sustainable practices, inviting all residents to participate in a shared vision of a more interconnected future.

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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

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