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Indoor Garden with Translucent Windows in Elevated Urban Housing

Authors:
Tauran Kuçi, Fisnik Fanaj, Mirjete Morina
Indoor Garden with Translucent Windows in Elevated Urban Housing

Project in-detail

An indoor garden, illuminated by abundant natural light through translucent windows, enhances the overall well-being of residents in an elevated urban housing solution designed for flexibility and community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Indoor garden designed to optimize natural light and enhance occupant well-being.
02
Translucent windows provide expansive views while maintaining privacy.
03
Staircase doubles as a central feature, promoting movement through the home.
04
Adaptable layout accommodates various living arrangements and activities.
05
Sustainable materials include stone wool insulation for energy efficiency.

The proposed structure represents a thoughtful response to the need for modern living solutions in urban areas with limited resources. It focuses on flexibility and adaptability, providing functional spaces that support the daily activities of residents. The design reduces the building footprint while encouraging physical movement, addressing both the practical and social needs of urban life.

Design Concept

The housing prototype consists of three main stages, connected by a staircase that makes it easy to access different areas of the home. This vertical layout is important in densely populated cities, where space is often limited. By bringing together essential living, working, and farming spaces, the design caters to various lifestyles and promotes a sense of community.

Natural Integration

An important feature of the structure is its connection to nature. Halfway up the staircase, there is an indoor garden that allows natural light and greenery to enter the building. Large, translucent windows frame views of the outside world and enhance the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces. This design choice helps occupants appreciate their environment and contributes to their overall well-being.

Air Quality and Comfort

Good air circulation is a vital part of the design, ensuring a healthier indoor environment. Proper airflow is necessary for maintaining comfort and supporting the health of residents. By considering air quality, the structure demonstrates its commitment to the wellness of those living inside it.

Material Selection

The building uses a mix of materials that contribute to its purpose and performance. Key materials include plywood panels, underlay membranes, stone wool insulation, OSB panels, and a concrete foundation. These selections have been chosen carefully for their durability and sustainability, aligning with the overall goals of the design.

The indoor staircase serves as both a practical access point and an eye-catching element, allowing light to pour in through the windows. This feature enhances the experience of transitioning between levels, drawing attention to the lush indoor garden and creating a favorable connection to the outside landscape.

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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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