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Flexible Living Units Within Metal Grid Structure for Collective Housing

Authors:
Eirini Kanargieli, Konstantinos Konstantinidis, Maria Chatzikallia
Flexible Living Units Within Metal Grid Structure for Collective Housing

Project in-detail

Built with a flexible arrangement of living units supported by a metal grid structure, the design emphasizes adaptability and community interaction within the framework of collective housing in Rome.
5 key facts about this project
01
Flexible private rooms can be added or removed according to resident needs.
02
The ground floor is intentionally left open to enhance pedestrian access and social interaction.
03
A metal grid structure allows for easy transportation and reconfiguration of living units.
04
Upper levels feature integrated green spaces for resident recreation and environmental engagement.
05
The design promotes a strong sense of community within a traditionally isolated urban context.

The Co-Folding Project offers a fresh approach to collective living in Rome, responding to modern urban challenges. It combines affordability, flexibility, and community, creating an environment where social interaction is encouraged. This innovative housing model uses a design that draws on scaffolding principles, aiming to enhance both privacy and communal living.

Adaptability of Spaces

The design allows for a flexible arrangement of living units, enabling the addition and subtraction of private rooms based on individual needs. This flexibility promotes customization of living spaces while providing essential shared areas that bring residents together. By reducing physical barriers between private and communal spaces, the layout encourages interaction and collaboration among residents.

Urban Accessibility

An important feature is the focus on urban accessibility. The ground floor remains intentionally open, creating pedestrian-friendly areas that invite movement and social connection. This design choice helps integrate the project with the surrounding urban landscape, fostering a sense of community within the neighborhood.

Materiality and Structural Approach

The project utilizes a metal grid structure that serves as its main support. This element reflects the overall philosophy of mobility and adaptability. Using this approach allows for easy rearrangement of living units, making it possible to respond to different urban needs. The structural design emphasizes efficiency and sustainability, contributing to a functional living space.

Upper-level green spaces provide areas for recreation and relaxation, adding visual appeal to the environment. These landscaped areas help residents connect with nature while living in a busy city. The thoughtful integration of green space enhances overall well-being, making outdoor areas an essential part of the living experience.

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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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