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Elevated Living Spaces Featuring Phenolic Wood and Galvanized Steel for Resilient Urban Housing

Author:
Johanna Ailen Ferreyra
Elevated Living Spaces Featuring Phenolic Wood and Galvanized Steel for Resilient Urban Housing

Project in-detail

Utilizing elevated structures crafted from phenolic wood and galvanized steel, the design addresses flooding challenges while fostering community integration in a sustainable residential environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes elevated structures to mitigate flood risks while enhancing accessibility.
02
Incorporates a modular design that allows for adaptable living spaces and community sharing.
03
Features rainwater harvesting systems to promote self-sufficiency and sustainability.
04
Employs phenolic wood for durability and environmental resilience in construction.
05
Includes shared outdoor areas designed to foster social interaction among residents.

### Overview

Located in Argentina, the project addresses significant housing shortages and infrastructural deficiencies affecting over four million households in urban areas. This initiative serves as a residential model that integrates sustainable design principles to improve living conditions while responding to socio-economic and environmental challenges. It aims to create a high-density urban environment that balances the need for shelter with ecological responsibility.

### Spatial Strategy and Community Interaction

A key aspect of the design is the elevation of living spaces, which mitigates flood risks and enhances accessibility to essential utility services. The layout promotes community engagement through the inclusion of shared micro-houses and communal areas, encouraging social interaction among residents. Flexible interior spaces are configured to accommodate diverse activities, facilitating a dynamic living experience tailored to contemporary household needs.

### Material and Sustainability Practices

The design prioritizes the use of renewable, sustainable materials, including phenolic wood, steel beams, galvanized steel for cladding, and glass for natural lighting. These materials contribute to the building's structural integrity and aesthetic quality while enhancing its energy performance through the integration of thermal insulation and eco-friendly infrastructure, such as solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems. This commitment to sustainable materiality reflects an overarching goal of environmental responsibility and resource conservation within urban living contexts.

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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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