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Interconnected Living Within Vertical Pixel Spaces

Authors:
Rebecca Nayagam, Vamsi Vemuri, Roberto Barbosa, Cievanard Nattabowonphal
Interconnected Living Within Vertical Pixel Spaces
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The design responds to the challenges of high-density urban living within a steep and compact cityscape. It explores modular housing solutions that integrate into existing structures, focusing on spatial relationships and efficient use of underutilized areas.
5 key facts about this project
01
The design utilizes modular units for compact living.
02
It focuses on figure-figure relationships between buildings.
03
Infill sites optimize land use in dense urban areas.
04
Circulation pathways distinguish public and private zones.
05
Sustainable materials enhance integration with existing structures.

Situated within Hong Kong’s dense and steep urban environment, the design addresses the challenges of limited space by proposing a modular housing scheme that integrates with the existing architectural fabric. The concept is informed by figure-figure relationships, focusing on interactions between buildings rather than traditional figure-ground distinctions. This approach leverages underutilized interstitial spaces, aiming to increase housing capacity through vertical development while maintaining harmony with the surrounding context.

Modular Housing and Spatial Strategy

The design prioritizes flexible modular units inserted into ‘pixel’ spaces between existing structures, emphasizing vertical expansion over horizontal sprawl. These infill sites optimize land use by filling gaps in the urban fabric. Circulation pathways are carefully arranged to delineate public and private zones, fostering community interaction while ensuring accessibility. The layout supports natural ventilation and daylight penetration, enhancing residential comfort in a compact cityscape.

Materiality and Environmental Considerations

Although specific materials are not detailed, the design highlights the importance of sustainable and adaptable construction methods consistent with the modular approach. Material selection is critical to achieving both functional performance and visual integration with existing buildings, contributing to long-term viability within the dense urban setting.

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Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

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

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge

AIA (American Institute of Architects) invites you to design affordable housing in Denver

Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 18 September 2025

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Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
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