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Flexible Living Units With Concrete Walls and Wooden Grids

Author:
Qing Xie
Flexible Living Units With Concrete Walls and Wooden Grids

Project in-detail

Incorporating wooden grids and robust concrete walls, the design provides flexible living units that adapt to diverse needs while fostering community connection in an urban environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Flexible unit designs allow for multifunctional use of spaces.
02
Community areas are strategically integrated to enhance resident interaction.
03
Wooden grids within the structure promote adaptability in interior layouts.
04
Concrete walls provide both durability and acoustic insulation.
05
The project prioritizes sustainability while maintaining affordability for residents.

The project aimed at alleviating the housing crisis in London focuses on creating thoughtful residential solutions that emphasize adaptability and the importance of community. Set within an urban context, it aspires to provide flexible living spaces for a diverse population. The design seeks to meet the evolving needs of residents while fostering connections among neighbors, leading to a more engaged community.

Design Concept

The design introduces a new type of housing that moves away from traditional terraced models. It features residential units that can easily change to accommodate different family sizes and lifestyles. By allowing spaces to serve multiple purposes, the plan makes sure each area can be used as needed. The layout fosters a balance between private and communal living, promoting a sense of belonging and interaction among residents.

Materiality

The project uses specific materials to enhance both strength and practicality. Wooden sticks are integrated into grid systems within the interior, allowing for flexible arrangements. Steel adds reinforcement to the trusses, ensuring stability in various configurations. Concrete walls form the backbone of the residential units, offering durability and support for the adaptable spaces created within.

Community Integration

A key focus of the design is the connection between individual apartments and the surrounding urban environment. The architecture encourages interaction between private homes and public areas, highlighting the importance of community engagement. This approach aims to reduce feelings of isolation that can occur in larger cities, creating a lively atmosphere where residents feel connected to one another.

At the heart of the design is a careful arrangement of spaces that invites residents to enjoy shared areas, encouraging the use of outdoor environments. This attention to detail enhances everyday life and reinforces the sense of community within the setting.

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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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