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Loggias and Parasitic Stairs Enhance Community Living in Urban Duplex Design

Authors:
Elisa Laiti, Giulia Pradel, Daniele Salzani
Loggias and Parasitic Stairs Enhance Community Living in Urban Duplex Design

Project in-detail

Incorporating loggias and vertical parasitic stairways, the design fosters social interaction and communal living within urban Duplex Apartments.
5 key facts about this project
01
Loggias are integrated into the West facade to extend private living areas outdoors.
02
Parasitic stairways connect simplex apartments, promoting social interaction.
03
The design includes a diagonal stair leading to a communal covered square.
04
Each unit maximizes natural light through thoughtful spatial arrangements.
05
Gardens adjacent to the covered square enhance the overall community experience.

The design features a series of Duplex Apartments in an urban setting. It focuses on enhancing community interaction through thoughtful planning and arrangement of spaces. The design concept seeks to create an environment where residents can connect, fostering a sense of belonging while meeting the practical needs of modern city living.

Duplex Apartments

The residential setup includes both Duplex and Simplex Apartments, allowing for flexibility in how people choose to live. Some duplex units have been converted into simplex formats. This change helps to maximize space and meet varying needs of residents. Careful consideration has been given to how these units function within the community.



Loggia Integration

A distinctive aspect of the design is the addition of loggias along the West facade. These outdoor spaces expand the usable area of the apartments and offer opportunities for residents to spend time outside. Loggias support interactions among neighbors, fostering community ties while also enriching the building's overall aesthetic.



Vertical Connectivity

The design also incorporates parasitic stairways on the East facade, which facilitate movement between simplex units. These stairways enhance accessibility and encourage residents to engage with each other. By making it easier to navigate the building, the design promotes a sense of community and shared living.



Social Focal Point

At the heart of the design lies a diagonal stair leading to a covered square. This area connects different levels of the building and serves as a communal space for gatherings. Overlooking adjacent gardens, it invites residents to come together, creating a lively atmosphere for social interaction.



Design details highlight the carefully considered balance between private living spaces and community areas, ensuring light and flow throughout. The thoughtful integration of elements cultivates a strong sense of connection among residents while responding to the dynamics of urban life.

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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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