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Green Roof Community Built with Local Stone and Terracotta

Author:
Massimo Dei
Green Roof Community Built with Local Stone and Terracotta

Project in-detail

Constructed with locally sourced stone and terracotta, the community development integrates green roofs into its design while promoting wellness and engagement through carefully planned public and private spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Residential units feature green roofs that enhance biodiversity and reduce energy costs.
02
The layout follows the natural topography, creating a seamless integration with the landscape.
03
Transparency in walkways promotes accessibility while preserving residents' privacy.
04
Public and private spaces are thoughtfully designed to encourage social interaction.
05
Materials include locally sourced stone and terracotta, reflecting regional architectural tradition.

The project is located in a setting reminiscent of traditional Portuguese towns, designed to foster connections among residents while respecting the surrounding landscape. The layout integrates public and private spaces, which encourages a sense of community and intimacy. The design concept seeks to create a harmonious blend of residential areas and communal facilities, reflecting the characteristics of the region.

Conceptual Framework

The design focuses on the relationship between buildings and nature. A mix of smaller and larger structures is connected by narrow streets and terraces, creating pathways that invite movement and interaction. This arrangement allows for social engagement while also providing private areas for residents. A transparent walkway links the residential units to communal spaces like the restaurant, improving access while maintaining a level of privacy.

Materiality and Aesthetic Integration

Materials play a significant role in shaping the project's identity. The use of local and natural materials helps establish a connection to the surrounding environment. The residential buildings feature stone-clad walls, with terracotta and brick incorporated into various elements. This choice of materials not only aligns with the regional architectural style but also contributes to the sensory experience of the spaces. Large openings in the walls facilitate a connection between indoors and outdoors, allowing natural light to enter and framing views of the landscape.

Wellness and Community Amenities

The inclusion of wellness facilities is a vital aspect of the design, promoting health and relaxation for both residents and visitors. These amenities are positioned for easy access, encouraging communal use and reinforcing the community aspect of the development. Spaces for leisure and recreation create opportunities for social interaction, contributing to an overall sense of well-being within the environment.

The apartments are primarily designed on a single level, which enhances accessibility and simplifies daily living. Green roofs are introduced, providing additional outdoor space while promoting a visual connection to the landscape. This design choice helps blend the buildings into their surroundings, allowing nature and architecture to coexist.

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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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