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Geodesic Living Units Suspended Beneath Urban Infrastructure Using Lightweight Membrane Materials

Author:
Shouta Kanehira
Geodesic Living Units Suspended Beneath Urban Infrastructure Using Lightweight Membrane Materials

Project in-detail

Constructed as modular geodesic units attached to existing infrastructure, this innovative housing solution utilizes lightweight membrane materials to provide affordable living spaces in an urban environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed from lightweight membrane materials, allowing for efficient support beneath urban infrastructures.
02
Geodesic dome design maximizes interior space while minimizing material use for sustainability.
03
Modules are adaptable, accommodating varying household sizes and configurations to meet community needs.
04
Local sourcing of materials reduces environmental impact and supports the regional economy.
05
Access points for essential systems ensure easy maintenance and longevity of the living units.

### Overview
Located in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, New York City, the project addresses the urgent need for affordable housing in an area affected by gentrification and increasing rental costs. By leveraging the existing urban infrastructure, particularly the underside of bridges, the design optimizes underutilized spaces to provide flexible living solutions that integrate with community needs.

### Spatial Strategy and Community Engagement
The project features modular, lightweight living units designed to attach beneath bridges, implementing a concept rooted in parasitic architecture. This approach not only maximizes spatial efficiency but also enhances the urban landscape by transforming overlooked areas into viable housing. Engaging local residents in the design process ensures that the living spaces reflect community aspirations, fostering a sense of ownership and investment in these new environments.

### Materiality and Environmental Performance
Focusing on sustainability, the project employs a range of locally sourced materials to minimize environmental impact. Key components include geodesic dome structures for stability, a dual-layer membrane that provides insulation and light filtration, and tension rods that facilitate lightweight support. The materials are selected to ensure durability while reducing transportation emissions, aligning with both cost efficiency and ecological considerations. This design emphasizes the importance of natural light and ventilation, creating comfortable interiors that reduce reliance on artificial lighting.

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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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