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Elevated Sky Bridges and Sustainable Timber Construction in a Compact Urban Community

Author:
Chian-Shuo (Karl) Huang
Elevated Sky Bridges and Sustainable Timber Construction in a Compact Urban Community

Project in-detail

Elevated sky bridges connect compact microhomes constructed with sustainable timber, fostering a communal environment within an urban setting designed for efficient living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated sky bridges provide seamless connectivity between microhome units.
02
The design features modular units that allow for future expansion or reconfiguration.
03
Sustainable timber construction utilizes cross-laminated panels for enhanced structural integrity.
04
Charred wooden shingles contribute to fire resistance and exterior durability.
05
A communal garden integrates greenery, promoting biodiversity and resident interaction.

## Overview

The Bridge-line Microhome Community is located in an urban setting in North America, addressing the growing need for sustainable and efficient residential solutions. This project aims to optimize limited land resources by implementing microhomes designed for communal living. The microhomes adhere to green building principles that integrate eco-friendly materials and sustainable practices within a cohesive community framework.

## Spatial Organization and Community Design

The layout of the microhome community emphasizes density and encourages social interaction among residents. Individual microhome units are designed for maximum functional use, featuring versatile living spaces that combine kitchenettes, living areas, and sleeping lofts. The arrangement of these units in clusters is connected by elevated sky bridges, which facilitate pedestrian movement, minimize vehicle traffic, and enhance connectivity among residents. Central to the community is a communal park and garden area, providing shared spaces for recreation and events, thereby fostering a strong sense of community.

## Material Selection and Sustainability

The material palette for the Bridge-line Microhome Community reflects its commitment to sustainability. Timber serves as the primary building component, aligning with environmentally responsible practices. Large expanses of glass are incorporated to maximize natural light, reducing the need for artificial illumination. Each microhome is equipped with solar panels, promoting energy self-sufficiency, while optional green roofs can be introduced to enhance biodiversity and insulation. Structural elements such as steel are utilized for the sky bridges, ensuring long-term durability and safety. This thoughtful selection of materials underscores the project's focus on ecological integrity and innovative design solutions.

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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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