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Hexagonal Living Units with Expansive Natural Light and Adaptive Space Options

Authors:
James Arteaga, Ingrid Garcia, Tatiana Ospina, Camilo Quintero
Hexagonal Living Units with Expansive Natural Light and Adaptive Space Options

Project in-detail

The hexagonal layout of these residential units maximizes natural light and adaptability, allowing for future expansions while providing essential living spaces in a compact urban setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
The design incorporates a hexagonal configuration to optimize living space and natural light.
02
Each unit is built with modular components, allowing for future expansion as needs change.
03
Openings-to-below areas enhance air circulation and light distribution throughout the interiors.
04
The layout accommodates various family types, promoting affordable urban living.
05
Strategically placed angled walls create dynamic visual relationships within the space.

The Honeycomb is a residential development located in Toronto that addresses modern housing needs through an innovative design. Its hexagonal shape not only maximizes living area but also allows for better natural light throughout the space. A focus on modular and incremental construction makes it adaptable to various urban contexts and suitable for different types of families.

Spatial Configuration

The units consist of two-storey structures, with the first floor dedicated to essential living spaces, including a living room, dining area, kitchen, and full bathroom. This setup creates an open flow that encourages interaction among family members. The second floor has a bedroom and a balcony, designed with the option for homeowners to expand their space in the future as their needs evolve.

Design Features

Incorporating openings-to-below areas enhances light distribution and promotes air circulation, making the interiors feel bright and comfortable. The angled walls and carefully placed windows not only improve the aesthetic appeal but also increase access to natural light. These design decisions ensure that each unit provides a welcoming atmosphere for residents.

Site Adaptability

Two distinct sites highlight the project’s adaptable nature. The Honeycomb on Queen functions as an infill development with nine units and one commercial space on a busy street, responding to the needs of urban living. On the other hand, the Honeycomb on Cunningham features a larger lot with fifty-six units and ten semi-covered open-space terraces, situated on a quieter residential street. This variety demonstrates the design's ability to fit within different urban environments.

Affordability and Incremental Growth

Affordability plays a crucial role in the design philosophy, creating opportunities for diverse family types to enter the housing market in Toronto. The incremental construction model allows residents to expand their living spaces over time, adapting to changing financial situations. This approach addresses the challenges posed by rising housing costs, making the project relevant to today’s housing landscape.

The design stands out with its angled walls and windows that frame views and bring in sunlight, creating a warm living environment. Each unit connects residents to their surroundings while maintaining a sense of privacy and comfort.

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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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