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Fragmented Public Spaces Enhancing Community Life in Urban Housing

Authors:
Zamen Lin, Holland Seropian, Zi li He
Fragmented Public Spaces Enhancing Community Life in Urban Housing

Project in-detail

Fragmented public spaces interwoven with artist studios and diverse recreational facilities foster community engagement in this urban housing development.
5 key facts about this project
01
Fragmented layout encourages diverse communal interactions across various public spaces.
02
Artist studios integrated within residential areas foster creative collaboration among residents.
03
Recreational facilities include a gym and an outdoor theater to support well-being and culture.
04
Proximity to Armenian park enhances accessibility to green spaces for residents.
05
Innovative circulation paths connect private units with shared amenities seamlessly.

The Social Affordable Housing as Public Infrastructure rethinks the typical residential model by placing significant emphasis on public space within its design. Located at the intersection of Lobeckstraße and Gitschiner Str, the housing aims to meet the functional needs of urban living while also encouraging community interaction. This approach challenges the traditional focus on efficiency in housing development, aiming to create a lively environment that promotes social relationships among residents.

Architectural Concept

The design centers around a critique of standard housing layouts that often keep public and private spaces separate. By incorporating public programs directly into the housing structure, the proposal allows for movement that blends circulation with social activities. This fragmentation of spaces seeks to remove the notion of leftover public areas, instead elevating them as vital components that facilitate engagement between residents and their community.

Spatial Organization

Housing is organized in a way that encourages both separation and connection. Public spaces are spread throughout the building, creating varied pathways for movement and interaction. This layout helps residents navigate easily between private spaces and communal facilities. Amenities like artist studios, auditoriums, gyms, and recreational areas are included to underline the importance of offering diverse options for social engagement.

Contextual Integration

Situated near public amenities, such as the Armenian park and outdoor swimming pool, the design enhances the relationship with its urban setting. It acts as a link, bringing residential life closer to city infrastructure while ensuring easy access for residents. The careful planning of the development invites community involvement and fosters a stronger sense of belonging among inhabitants.

Design Detail

The focus on integrating public spaces is evident in the careful layout that promotes both interaction and relaxation. Public areas are designed to create inviting atmospheres. By prioritizing these connections, the design shows that housing can serve not only as a place to live but also as a foundation for social connection within a community.

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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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