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Elevated Housing Solutions Featuring Underground Circulation and Green Roofs

Author:
Maher H
Elevated Housing Solutions Featuring Underground Circulation and Green Roofs

Project in-detail

Utilizing underground circulation and integrating green roofs, the design transforms urban roundabouts into functional housing units that prioritize sustainability and community connectivity.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes roundabouts as unique housing sites.
02
Features underground circulation for unobstructed views.
03
Incorporates green roofs to enhance biodiversity.
04
Includes a media wall for advertising and revenue generation.
05
Adopts a modular construction approach for efficiency.

The design proposal focuses on converting roundabouts in London into affordable housing units. This approach aims to address the city's ongoing housing challenges while improving public accessibility and promoting a sense of community. The project makes use of often-overlooked urban spaces to create a living environment that fits comfortably within its surroundings while offering new opportunities for residents.

Design Concept
The concept revolves around utilizing roundabouts as development sites. These areas, typically seen as transitional spaces, can be reimagined as places where people live and interact. The design strives to create adaptable structures that make the most of the available space while maintaining sightlines and access to light. This thoughtful integration allows for a blend of architecture and urban life.

Sand Dollar Housing
One option, Sand Dollar Housing, focuses on creating a circulation strategy that goes underground. By placing corridors below ground, the design limits disruption of natural light and valuable views. Above ground, there are open communal spaces with perforated sections that allow for airflow and light to filter into the interiors. Bridges and stair access points encourage movement among the units, while green roofs enhance sustainability and improve the aesthetic.

The Lion of Housing
Another approach is the Lion of Housing, which proposes using roundabout islands as gathering places in the urban environment. The elevated structure stands out, increasing visibility from the streets and inviting pedestrians to engage with the space. A media wall serves a practical function, providing an area for advertisements while also generating revenue to support the project’s ongoing needs.

Modular Approach
Both designs employ modular construction methods. This strategy emphasizes efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Prefabricated elements streamline the building process, making it quicker and more affordable to respond to housing demands. This approach also allows for potential flexibility, enabling the designs to adapt as urban needs change.

Green roofs are a key feature of the project, contributing to energy efficiency and promoting a healthier environment. This connection to nature enhances the resident's quality of life and supports broader sustainability goals within the city. The emphasis on practical design coupled with beneficial environmental features reflects the project’s commitment to creating livable urban spaces.

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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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