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Living Above the Streets With Cross Laminated Timber and ETFE Integration

Authors:
Kalliopi Bouzounieraki, Sofia Katsarou
Living Above the Streets With Cross Laminated Timber and ETFE Integration

Project in-detail

Cross Laminated Timber and lightweight ETFE create an elevated community living environment above London’s roadways, blending sustainable architecture with essential amenities for modern residents.
5 key facts about this project
01
Green corridors serve as recreational spaces and pollution buffers beneath the residential units.
02
Each unit features private roof gardens, promoting individual outdoor spaces for residents.
03
The development utilizes Cross Laminated Timber for efficient construction and sustainability.
04
One plant room per 15 units manages resource processing and energy efficiency.
05
ETFE is used for its insulation properties, enhancing energy performance compared to traditional glazing.

Sky City is a new development in London designed to meet the urgent need for affordable housing by making use of the space above existing roads. The project focuses on creating quality residential units while also preserving important public areas. By placing homes above the busy streets, the design maximizes urban space and encourages community interaction through shared facilities and green areas.

Green Corridor

One of the key features of Sky City is the green corridor located beneath the residential units. This area serves as both a recreational space and a buffer that helps reduce pollution from the street. With outdoor gyms, playgrounds, and seating areas, the green corridor promotes an active lifestyle and provides a place for residents to connect with one another and the surrounding city.

Private Roof Gardens

Each unit in Sky City includes its own private roof garden, giving residents access to outdoor spaces. Families can enjoy larger gardens, fostering a sense of community as neighbors are encouraged to interact in these shared outdoor areas. The opportunity for customization allows residents to create personal retreats, enhancing their living experience and strengthening community bonds.

Internal Configuration

The layout of the housing units is carefully designed to be compatible with London's underground infrastructure and historical buildings. The construction avoids disturbing existing tunnels and respects height limitations that protect the light access of nearby properties. This careful planning ensures that the development fits well within its environment, maintaining both functionality and visual appeal.

Micro-Ecosystem

Sky City incorporates a micro-ecosystem that promotes sustainability and resource management. Each group of 15 units has a plant room that handles essential services, such as water collection and filtration. Solar panels are also included to harness renewable energy, reducing the environmental impact of the residences. This design encourages a sustainable lifestyle, making it easier for residents to live in an eco-friendly manner.

The project uses Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) to build the residential units, allowing for quick assembly while maintaining structural integrity and affordability. The lightweight material ETFE is utilized for its insulation properties, further enhancing the project's energy efficiency. Thoughtfully designed details, such as large windows, invite natural light into the units, creating welcoming and comfortable indoor environments.

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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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