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Integrated Green Spaces With Prefabricated Modules For Urban Living

Authors:
Mariela Pfennig - mahmud, Muna Shahrori, Maijosh Giraut
Integrated Green Spaces With Prefabricated Modules For Urban Living

Project in-detail

Retaining rainwater in a central retention pond, the design incorporates prefabricated modules to create a versatile community-focused environment that supports diverse residential living and shared social spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Community gardens integrate with residential units, promoting local food production.
02
A central retention pond collects rainwater for sustainable irrigation.
03
Prefabricated modules enable rapid construction and flexible habitation options.
04
Mixed-use spaces at ground level enhance social interaction and accessibility.
05
The design prioritizes open courtyards, fostering a sense of community identity.

The Distillery Village in Toronto offers a carefully planned environment that promotes community living. The development is made up of several small buildings that create distinct spaces for public interaction and shared activities within courtyards. The design focuses on being adaptable, allowing it to respond to the varying demands of different neighborhoods while maintaining an inviting character.

Community Spaces

A key aspect of the Distillery Village is its emphasis on community engagement. At the ground level, open areas serve both communal and commercial purposes. These spaces encourage residents to gather, interact, and participate in local activities. The integration of retail spaces adds a lively element, making it easier for residents to access daily services and contribute to the vibrancy of the Village.

Variety in Housing

The upper floors contain a mix of residential units designed to accommodate different lifestyles and family sizes. This variety promotes essential living functions such as resting, dining, and working. Common circulation areas throughout the buildings strengthen connections among residents, inviting social interactions and creating a sense of belonging within the community.

Green Solutions

Central to the Village’s design is a thoughtful landscaping approach that integrates green spaces with parking areas. The parking is covered with vegetation, creating an attractive view as it flows into terraces for community gardens and walkways. Rainwater management is also an important feature, as the system collects and filters rainfall into a pond used for irrigation. This promotes sustainability while enhancing the overall environment.

Diverse Options

The design accommodates different types of housing that reflect various life stages, ensuring everyone feels welcome. The arrangement of buildings around courtyard spaces supports personal relationships, fostering community spirit.

As a final detail, the combination of garden terraces and accessible outdoor spaces encourages residents to connect with nature and each other, contributing to a rich community experience.

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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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