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Elevated Living with High-Tensile Connections and Community Green Spaces

Author:
Gyubin Lee
Elevated Living with High-Tensile Connections and Community Green Spaces

Project in-detail

Using a piloti framework and high-tensile connections, the development offers modular, affordable housing that prioritizes community interaction and integrates vibrant green spaces throughout its urban setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Housing modules are arranged within a flexible 15m x 15m grid, enhancing personal adaptability.
02
The use of piloti elevates the first floor, creating essential parking and outdoor community space below.
03
Vibrant color schemes derived from the Vancouver flag promote local identity and aesthetic connection.
04
Integrated gardens throughout the site reinforce environmental sensitivity and community engagement.
05
High-tensile bolts secure the modular units, allowing for straightforward assembly and stability.

WYW House is located in Vancouver, Canada, designed to meet the urgent demand for affordable housing in the city. The focus is on creating modular living spaces that allow flexibility and encourage community interaction. Each unit is arranged within a 15m x 15m grid, making efficient use of space while empowering residents to personalize their living environments.

Modular Design

The structure is built using a modular system that promotes easy assembly and arrangement of the units. Each module comes furnished with necessary items, enabling residents to adapt their spaces to their lifestyles. This thoughtful design allows for diverse living arrangements within a unified architectural framework.

Piloti Framework

A key aspect of WYW House is the use of piloti, which lifts the first floor off the ground, providing both parking and outdoor space beneath. This choice is practical for the heavy rainfall common in the area and enhances pedestrian access. By elevating the building, it creates a sense of openness and maintains the visual balance with Vancouver's skyline.

Color and Identity

The color scheme of WYW House draws from the Vancouver flag, incorporating yellow, green, blue, and white, alongside red. These colors reflect important elements of the city. The vibrant palette not only draws attention to the building but also creates a connection to the local culture and landscape, adding depth to the architectural concept.

Community Spaces

Common areas are an integral part of WYW House, designed to foster social interactions among residents. Spaces for barbecues and outdoor activities are thoughtfully placed throughout the development, complemented by gardens that enhance the overall environment. These shared areas help build community connections, emphasizing the importance of social life in residential settings.

The housing modules utilize high-tensile bolts at each corner for secure assembly. This method ensures stability while simplifying the process of putting the units together or taking them apart. It reflects a focus on practical living solutions, catering to the needs of residents in an urban context.

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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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