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Flexible Loft Units with Communal Spaces for Urban Infill

Authors:
Robert Arnone, Bryce Jarman, Kael Samake, Artyom Savin
Flexible Loft Units with Communal Spaces for Urban Infill

Project in-detail

Modular units with adaptable loft spaces and integrated communal areas address the critical need for affordable housing in Berlin through efficient urban infill strategies.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular units are designed for rapid assembly and deployment.
02
Units incorporate flexible living spaces that can adapt to multiple household types.
03
Communal areas encourage social interaction and support local small businesses.
04
Construction employs prefabricated components to streamline building processes.
05
Design integrates community engagement, enhancing neighborhood cohesion.

A systematic approach to affordable housing in Berlin addresses the need for effective residential options in an urban setting. The focus is on prefabricated modular units, designed specifically for urban infill. This design aims to improve the city's character while providing essential living spaces. It seeks to create functional and adaptable environments that serve a diverse range of residents, including singles, couples, and small families.

Modular Housing Design

The design centers around compact modular units that maximize the use of space while ensuring essential amenities are included. Each unit features a three-piece bathroom, a loft bedroom, a built-in kitchen, and adequate storage. A key element is the common area, which can easily convert into a second sleeping space to accommodate various household types. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for single parents and small families, offering a practical living solution in the city.

Community Integration

The design emphasizes community interaction, incorporating communal units throughout the site. These upper-level communal spaces provide work areas, laundry facilities, and outdoor gathering spots, encouraging residents to connect with one another. Ground-floor communal units are designed to serve as spaces for resident-run businesses, such as cafes and shops. This focus on shared resources enhances both the living experience and the economic viability of the neighborhood, helping to foster a lively community atmosphere.

Urban Infill Application

The project addresses the challenges of urban infill, aiming to create diverse living conditions without leading to social segregation. The modular design is adaptable, allowing for easy adjustment to different sites across Berlin. This responsiveness ensures that each location’s unique features are taken into account. The layout encourages communication and fosters inclusiveness, working against the common issues of traditional affordable housing developments.

Materials and Construction

Construction relies on prefabricated components sourced from various manufacturers, including exterior walls and important interior elements like kitchens and storage solutions. Using such materials allows for efficient assembly and quick installation. This approach enhances the quality of construction while meeting the increasing demand for housing. The effective use of prefabrication ensures that the building process remains streamlined and consistent.

The final design prioritizes not only immediate housing needs but also the creation of supportive community spaces. Each aspect, carefully considered and articulated, contributes to a living environment that accommodates a diverse urban population.

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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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