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Extrudable Forms and Courtyard Living in Steel and Concrete Housing

Authors:
Chun ngok osten Chan, Ka mak Fan, Pui yu Yau
Extrudable Forms and Courtyard Living in Steel and Concrete Housing

Project in-detail

With extrudable forms and a central courtyard, the housing units utilize steel and concrete to create flexible living environments that adapt to both urban and rural contexts.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular units can be customized to four different heights.
02
Each housing configuration adapts to urban, suburban, and rural contexts.
03
The design incorporates efficient assembly systems for rapid on-site construction.
04
Steel footings ensure structural stability in diverse geographical settings.
05
A central courtyard fosters interaction and connectivity among residents.

Modular housing combines efficient construction with personalized living, designed to meet the needs of modern society. It offers a flexible solution for various environments while presenting a clear concept of home. The focus is on modularity, allowing each unit to adapt to different contexts and preferences, enhancing the occupants' experience of space.

Modularity and Flexibility

Central to the design is the principle of modularity, with a rectangular plan that maximizes space. Each module can extend to four different heights, giving residents options for their interior layouts. This flexibility encourages customization, making it possible to create unique living experiences that reflect personal tastes and lifestyle choices. The arrangement of spaces can evolve depending on the needs of the inhabitants.

Efficient Structure

The structural components provide stability and support. Steel footings are utilized alongside concrete foundations to ensure a strong base. Prefabricated frames streamline the building process, making construction quicker and more efficient. The use of a slideway system for extrudable platforms allows for easier assembly on-site, reducing labor time and complexity. This organized approach helps to bring the design from concept to reality in a practical manner.

Adaptable Contexts

The housing design is intended to fit various environments, with three distinct configurations illustrating its adaptability. An urban setup emphasizes vertical spaces and circulation, promoting interaction among residents. A suburban version focuses on outdoor views and incorporates patios for leisure. The rural layout centers around a courtyard, creating an open space that connects the indoors with nature. Each configuration is a response to its surroundings, enhancing the living experience.

Customizable Facades

There is a strong emphasis on facade customization, allowing for a range of appearances that suit individual preferences. This aspect of the design encourages residents to personalize their homes within the broader structure of modularity. By offering flexibility in aesthetic choices, the project promotes a sense of ownership while maintaining the advantages of standardization in construction. The result is a community of homes that reflects diverse identities within a cohesive framework.

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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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