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Elevated Housing Solutions Along the Seine River

Author:
Navid Simanian
Elevated Housing Solutions Along the Seine River

Project in-detail

Elevated prefabricated units along the Seine River transform underutilized urban spaces into adaptable housing solutions, offering customizable living environments for residents.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated units create minimal ground footprint to enhance street-level activity.
02
Customizable panel arrangements allow for personalized living experiences.
03
Integration of riverfront locations capitalizes on unique urban opportunities.
04
Adaptable housing accommodates diverse family sizes and needs.
05
Use of prefabricated methods supports rapid onsite assembly and efficiency.

The design introduces a new approach to affordable housing in the urban landscape of Paris. It focuses on utilizing underused spaces and offers housing solutions that fit the historical and modern context of the city. The central concept revolves around prefabricated units that are elevated off the ground. This approach allows for less disruption to the urban environment while promoting more activity at street level.

Typological Diversity

The design examines six different types of housing units that respond to various site conditions, maintaining a consistent appearance throughout. One of the key opportunities lies in the use of blank walls and facades that often go unnoticed. By transforming these areas into residential spaces, the design contributes positively to the urban setting, making it feel more lively and connected to the community.

Contextual Integration

The placement of some units along the Seine River is an essential part of the design. This positioning creates a connection between the housing and the city's infrastructure. Utilizing gaps in structures such as bridges and overpasses allows additional housing to fit into existing spaces naturally. The proposal also considers artificial islands in the river as viable areas for housing development, enhancing the potential for more living options.

User-Centric Design

Each housing unit is around 50 square meters and is designed to accommodate up to six residents. The layout allows for customization, with panels and windows that residents can adjust to their preferences. This focus on personalization helps residents feel more at home, creating a sense of ownership over their living spaces and improving their overall experience within the dense urban environment.

Material Considerations

While the design does not specify materials in detail, the emphasis on prefabricated units suggests a focus on efficiency in construction. Such materials typically allow for quicker assembly on-site while maintaining durability and adaptability. The structural elements reinforce the overall strategy for creating sustainable and functional living spaces within the urban landscape of Paris.

This thoughtful blend of elevated housing units, personalized environments, and connections to the river contributes to a coherent design that adds value to the community. The project opens up opportunities for living in a vibrant, interconnected urban setting.

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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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