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Green Roofs Enhancing Urban Living Through Raised Walkways

Author:
John Somers
Green Roofs Enhancing Urban Living Through Raised Walkways

Project in-detail

Landscaped roofs and raised walkways create a unique urban living experience along Avenue de l'Opera, offering affordable housing that seamlessly integrates community spaces with sustainable design.
5 key facts about this project
01
Landscaped roofs replicate the missing trees along Avenue de l'Opera.
02
Raised walkways connect residential units and public spaces seamlessly.
03
Housing units accommodate diverse living arrangements, promoting community.
04
High insulation standards reduce energy costs for residents.
05
Design blends historical context with modern sustainable features.

The project on Avenue de l'Opera in central Paris introduces affordable housing in a historically rich urban environment. This avenue, part of the city's Haussmann renovation, lacks greenery due to an earlier design choice to keep views of the Palais Garnier unobstructed. The proposed design aims to address this gap by integrating housing that reflects the idea of trees lining the street, creating a welcoming atmosphere in the heart of the city.

Housing Units

The design includes two-storey living units positioned on both sides of the avenue. These units are accessible via raised walkways, allowing pedestrians to move freely while staying clear of vehicle traffic. This elevated structure enhances accessibility for residents and fosters public interaction. The variety in unit types accommodates both single-family living and shared co-living arrangements.

Community Integration

Attention to public space is apparent throughout the design. The plan includes seating areas and landscaped green spaces, encouraging residents to gather and socialize outdoors. The walkways connect various parts of the development, ensuring smooth movement while promoting a lively atmosphere along the street. By incorporating these elements, the design places importance on community and engagement within urban life.

Landscaping and Aesthetics

A key feature of the project is the incorporation of greenery on the roofs and building façades. This landscaping creates a visual experience akin to a tree-lined street, addressing the absence of greenery in the area. The planted areas enhance the overall look of the housing while also supporting environmental goals, integrating nature directly into the urban setting.

Sustainability and Functionality

With plans for around 95 housing units, the project is expected to house between 350 to 700 residents. Its strategic location allows easy access to essential services such as transportation and recreational spaces, making it convenient for city living. The design emphasizes high insulation standards to keep energy costs low. Each unit includes double-height spaces for kitchens, dining, and living areas, which not only enhances comfort but also encourages residents to interact and build a sense of 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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