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Elevated Living Units with Glass Facades and Solar Integration in Urban Environments

Elevated Living Units with Glass Facades and Solar Integration in Urban Environments
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Elevated modular living units utilize glass facades and solar integration to redefine urban housing dynamics, enhancing community interaction within densely populated environments.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular units are designed to be elevated, allowing for efficient use of vertical space in urban environments.
02
Glass facades enhance natural light and connectivity between private and public areas.
03
Solar panels are integrated into the structure, promoting energy self-sufficiency.
04
The system enables modular living units to be summoned directly to street level using smart technology.
05
Community platforms at ground level encourage social interaction and pedestrian engagement.

## Overview

Located in urban centers such as Paris, Berlin, and New York, the project addresses significant housing challenges exacerbated by high immigration rates and a dense stock of historical buildings. By proposing an innovative solution that involves the installation of modular living units elevated above existing structures, it seeks to optimize limited urban space while adhering to regulatory constraints. The design aims to enhance urban living by reimagining traditional residential concepts through vertical expansion.

### Design and Spatial Arrangements

The architectural strategy employs an elevated framework that supports modular units capable of being summoned to street level via a mobile application. This accessibility allows residents to enter their homes directly from the street, thereby integrating the living units seamlessly into the urban fabric. Featuring semi-open platforms, the arrangement fosters interaction between residents and the public, enhancing community engagement. The modular units' flexibility emphasizes versatility in urban space usage, redefining conventional residential arrangements to better suit densely populated environments.

### Material Selection and Environmental Considerations

Material choices reflect a commitment to sustainability and functionality. The structural frame utilizes lightweight aluminum profiles, while plasterboard ensures both insulation and aesthetic adaptability. Integrating solar panels and thermal insulation promotes energy efficiency and sustainability, while expansive glass facades enhance natural lighting and visual connectivity with the exterior. Additionally, the design incorporates water collection systems, further emphasizing ecological design principles. Each material serves a specific purpose, contributing to the overall efficacy and sustainability of the living environments.

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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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Recurring architecture competitions

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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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