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L-Shaped Interlocking Units Supporting Community Engagement

Author:
Jose Luis
L-Shaped Interlocking Units Supporting Community Engagement
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Interlocking L-shaped units create a responsive, modular framework that elevates communal living through dedicated public spaces in a flexible and affordable housing solution.
5 key facts about this project
01
Interlocking L-shaped apartments maximize space efficiency and promote social interaction.
02
Ground-level communal areas are designed for various resident activities, enhancing community engagement.
03
Cross-ventilation and double-height volumes improve air quality and spatial comfort in living units.
04
The modular assembly allows for off-site construction, reducing time and costs.
05
Public passages activate outdoor courtyards, merging private and community spaces effectively.

The Urban Tetris project provides a practical response to the need for social housing in crowded cities. Positioned in an environment where urban living demands efficiency, the design seeks to create affordable homes that also have a sense of identity and community. The concept centers on modularity, with interlocking L-shaped apartments designed to maximize both space and social interaction among residents.

Modularity and Flexibility

The design emphasizes modular construction, allowing for different living configurations. The interlocking L-shaped apartments are stacked to form a cohesive structure that meets the varying needs of families. By creating communal areas at the ground level, the design fosters connections and shared experiences among residents, addressing the social aspects of urban living.

Community Integration

Ground-level spaces serve a communal purpose, offering areas for learning, exercise, and socializing. By elevating the living spaces, the design highlights shared public areas that are accessible to all residents. This layout not only enhances the overall livability of the development but also encourages a sense of community and interaction.

Environmental Considerations

Attention to environmental quality is a key aspect of the typical apartment units. Each unit features cross-ventilation and double-height volumes, which improve air circulation and create a feeling of spaciousness. These design features contribute to the comfort of residents, making the homes more pleasant and welcoming.

Spatial Organization

The layout of the site further develops the vision of a connected community. Regular extrusions create corridors and courtyards, which facilitate movement and encourage interaction within the space. Two public passages activate the courtyard, adding vibrancy and merging residential life with public engagement.

This arrangement ultimately seeks to redefine social housing by providing private living spaces and substantial opportunities for community interaction. The thoughtful design aims to cultivate an environment where relationships can grow, backed by amenities that link individuals and nurture a stronger sense of belonging.

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Enter an open architecture
competition now

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
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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

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    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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