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Elevated Living Spaces Enclosed in Concrete and Steel With Enhanced Natural Light

Authors:
Richard Prugger, Simon Kimmel
Elevated Living Spaces Enclosed in Concrete and Steel With Enhanced Natural Light

Project in-detail

Stacked residential units crafted with steel and concrete, enhanced by natural light, create adaptable living environments that foster community interactions in a densely populated urban setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Vertical stacking of residential units maximizes limited ground space.
02
Adaptable interior partitions allow for personalized living configurations.
03
Communal platforms at various heights encourage resident interaction.
04
Use of locally sourced materials enhances sustainability and reduces environmental impact.
05
Natural light is emphasized through strategically placed glass elements throughout the structure.

### Overview
Located in Hong Kong, the project addresses the city's significant housing challenges through a focus on vertical living. This design concept transforms spatial limitations into opportunities for community engagement, organizing residential units in a towering structure that optimizes land use while facilitating social interactions among residents. The architectural framework encourages a reevaluation of urban living, promoting flexibility and adaptability within densely populated environments.

### Vertical Organization
A key aspect of the design is the strict vertical arrangement of residential units, which maximizes the use of limited ground space. Residential towers are interconnected by shared platforms, fostering a sense of community and encouraging resident interaction. This organization distinguishes between micro and macro living spaces: compact units for individual or dual occupancy are complemented by communal areas that accommodate larger gatherings, thereby enhancing both personal privacy and social connectivity.

### Materiality and Sustainability
Material selection is integral to the project's functionality, affordability, and sustainability. The central core structure utilizes concrete to provide necessary strength, while steel supports the vertical framework, allowing for flexible spatial configurations. Glass elements enhance natural light, creating visual connections between the interiors and the surrounding environment. Timber is introduced in select areas to evoke warmth, counterbalancing the modern materials employed throughout. Textiles, such as curtains and partition panels, are designed for easy customization, adapting to the residents' needs. The overall approach emphasizes minimalism and sustainability, ensuring the design addresses both economic viability and environmental stewardship.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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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