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Grating-Centric Community Housing Around Urban Green Spaces

Author:
Ousama Regrag
Grating-Centric Community Housing Around Urban Green Spaces

Project in-detail

Built with prefabricated modules and incorporating community circulation spaces, this housing initiative revitalizes the urban environment around the Tiergarten while prioritizing affordability and sustainability.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes prefabricated modules for efficient construction.
02
Integrates community circulation spaces to enhance social interaction.
03
Designed around the ecological context of the Tiergarten.
04
Enclosure concept defines urban growth boundaries clearly.
05
Focuses on creating affordable housing solutions in a high-demand area.

"Berlin's Breath" addresses important issues related to urban growth and housing affordability in Berlin. Located near the Tiergarten, a key green space, the aim is to create quality, affordable, and sustainable homes in an area facing intense real estate pressures. The overall design concept focuses on integrating these living spaces into the landscape, balancing the need for housing with the preservation of nature.

Enclosure Concept
The design creates an enclosure around the Tiergarten, clearly marking the limits of urban development in the nearby Hansaviertel district. This enclosure serves both as a physical boundary and as an inviting space that includes residential units along with necessary facilities like schools and shops. By structuring urban growth in this way, the design respects the existing environment and enhances the area’s ecological value.

Material Utilization
A key feature is the use of prefabricated modules in construction. This approach allows for efficient assembly while offering flexibility in the arrangement of housing units. Using prefabricated elements helps reduce the time spent on-site, minimizing disruption to the neighborhood. This method shows a clear commitment to sustainable practices in building design.

Community Connectivity
The design also includes community circulation spaces made of gratings, which encourage interaction among residents. These pathways not only help people move easily throughout the area but also foster connections between neighbors. The arrangement of these spaces aims to support communal life, making the environment accessible and welcoming.

The thoughtful layout highlights the significance of green spaces in urban settings. By revitalizing the ecological context around the Tiergarten, the design reflects an effort to maintain a balance between housing needs and the environment. This connection reinforces the importance of creating spaces where residents can thrive alongside nature.

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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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