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Foldable Housing Solution Utilizing Recycled Tarps and Flexible Walls for Urban Nomads

Authors:
Cho Wonyoung , Sooyeon Shin
Foldable Housing Solution Utilizing Recycled Tarps and Flexible Walls for Urban Nomads

Project in-detail

Utilizing recycled tarps and movable walls, this modular housing solution addresses the needs of urban nomads by offering a flexible living space that adapts to various configurations and functions.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes recycled tarps for weather-resistant exterior surfaces.
02
Features movable walls to enable flexible interior configurations.
03
Incorporates a central multifunctional space for social interaction.
04
Designed to facilitate easy assembly and disassembly for relocatability.
05
Optimizes spatial perception through strategic optical illusion elements.

### Project Overview
The design project, "Token," addresses the housing needs of young professionals in South Korea, referred to as "K-nomads," who frequently face challenges related to unstable living conditions due to high property prices in urban areas. The project introduces a flexible housing solution characterized by a "foldable house" concept, which adapts to the transient lifestyles of its occupants while fostering a sense of community and personal identity.

### Spatial Strategy
The floor plan of Token features a central "token" area that incorporates essential amenities, including a bathroom, bed, kitchen, and dining space. This configuration allows for visual continuity and facilitates movement throughout the home. Notable design elements include flexible open spaces that can be rearranged to serve multiple functions—such as workspace, communal area, or dining space—thus accommodating various needs. The inclusion of movable walls enhances privacy and provides occupants with the ability to configure their living environment based on immediate requirements. Additionally, the incorporation of optical illusions, through narrow shapes, creates a perception of spaciousness, challenging traditional notions of confined living.

### Materiality and Sustainability
Token places significant emphasis on sustainable material choices that support adaptability. Interior finishes utilize recycled fabric for sound insulation, while recycled truck tarps serve as durable exterior surfaces. Structural elements are constructed from cement for cost-effectiveness and robustness, complemented by the warmth of wood selected for interior furniture and fittings. Specific areas feature stone to introduce a natural aesthetic. These materials are chosen not only to minimize ecological impact but also to reinforce the design’s ethos of being easily assembled or disassembled, thereby facilitating relocatability as the needs of occupants evolve.

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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

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