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Green Courtyards and Galvanized Steel in Community-Centric Living

Authors:
Emanuele Calabrò, Serena Casamento Barbitta, Andrea Cippitelli
Green Courtyards and Galvanized Steel in Community-Centric Living

Project in-detail

With an emphasis on green courtyards and the use of galvanized steel, the design creates a communal living environment that enhances social interaction while addressing the diverse climatic conditions of its Chinese context.
5 key facts about this project
01
Courtyards designed for multiple ecological functions enhance biodiversity.
02
Galvanized steel framing supports flexible spatial configurations.
03
Layouts prioritize communal living and social interaction.
04
Passive energy strategies reduce overall household energy demand.
05
Adaptations address specific climatic conditions across different regions.

The design focuses on blending traditional Chinese living concepts with modern urban settings. Located in China, the project aims to create homes that are adaptable to various climates while honoring local cultural practices. A key aspect is the use of courtyard houses, which are central to social life, providing communal spaces for interaction. This approach fuses functionality with a commitment to sustainability.

Design Ethos

At the heart of the design is the principle of climatic adaptability. The diverse climate regions of China, including warm semi-arid and humid subtropical areas, play a significant role in shaping the project. The homes are designed to respond effectively to these conditions, ensuring that residents feel comfortable and at ease. The courtyard house model reflects the rich architectural history of China, fostering a strong connection between people and their environment.

Spatial Organization

The spatial layout features a series of courtyards categorized as private, shared, and public areas. This organization promotes social interaction and helps build a sense of community among residents. By designing clusters where individual households can coexist, the plan enhances usability and encourages active engagement with the surroundings. The thoughtful arrangement highlights the importance of both personal space and shared community life.

Sustainability Principles

Sustainability is woven throughout the design. Energy models show the use of passive strategies to cut down household energy needs. Building placement, thermal mass, and green technologies are employed to improve energy efficiency. This approach aligns with the goals of creating homes that are environmentally friendly and culturally relevant, benefiting both the residents and the local context.

Natural Integration

The relationship between the homes and nature is carefully considered in the design of outdoor spaces. Green courtyards at different levels offer not just beauty, but practical functions as well. They help with water management and create pleasant microclimates, enhancing the overall living experience. This focus on nature and community illustrates a comprehensive approach to residential design that supports both lifestyle and ecology.

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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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