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Enhancing Urban Life Through Adaptive Reuse of Brownfield Spaces

Author:
Cameron Jones
Enhancing Urban Life Through Adaptive Reuse of Brownfield Spaces

Project in-detail

Repurposing brownfield warehouse structures, the design creates microhomes that prioritize privacy and community engagement through dedicated living and working areas.
5 key facts about this project
01
Repurposes disused brownfield warehouse structures for residential use.
02
Includes clearly defined private and public zones for enhanced living experiences.
03
Integrates workspace and marketplace features to promote community engagement.
04
Focuses on maximizing urban space through innovative microhome layouts.
05
Emphasizes sustainability by adapting existing urban resources.

Hanging Baskets is an architectural design focused on microhomes for small communities. Located in disused brownfield warehouse structures, the project combines living and working spaces, providing a solution for urban living. The overall design promotes privacy for residents, particularly for those living in two-person households where personal space is crucial in a compact environment.

Spatial Organization

The design prioritizes clear divisions between private and public areas. Unlike typical microhomes, which often feature open layouts, each unit has designated functions. This separation allows inhabitants to enjoy their personal spaces while still being close to communal areas. The organization of these spaces creates a balanced living experience, accommodating both solitude and interaction.

Adaptive Reuse

By utilizing existing structures in urban settings, the project underscores the importance of sustainability. The transformation of brownfield sites into livable areas shows a commitment to making use of existing resources. This approach reduces environmental impact and supports the integration of new developments into established neighborhoods.

Community Engagement

The design includes a marketplace that serves as an extension of the living spaces. This feature allows residents to offer sustainable services to their local community. The blending of work and home life encourages social connections and helps build a sense of belonging. The layout facilitates these interactions while ensuring that privacy is not compromised.

Residents are invited to connect with their surroundings, both in their homes and in the community. The design includes private areas that provide moments of quiet and relaxation while remaining close to shared facilities. Overall, the project aims to enhance individual well-being along with community cohesion, creating a living environment that emphasizes both personal and social needs.

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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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