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A Residential Complex Balancing Privacy and Community

Authors:
Kyle L Mertensmeyer , Ines Bici, Logan Eric Plaisted, Gongqi Wei
A Residential Complex Balancing Privacy and Community

Project in-detail

Responding to the housing challenges of a community recovering from conflict, the design emphasizes flexibility and social interaction. The approach seeks to support evolving needs while fostering a sense of community.
5 key facts about this project
01
Use of a mass timber exoskeleton allows for flexibility in future adaptations.
02
Shared courtyards promote social interaction among diverse community members.
03
Lower-level units specifically designed for accessibility are incorporated.
04
User profiles inform the design of tailored living spaces for different residents.
05
Light-filled interiors enhance well-being and encourage communal living.

Saltivka addresses the housing needs of a community recovering from conflict by combining adaptability with a focus on social connectivity. Located in an area undergoing reconstruction, the design employs a mass timber exoskeleton to enhance structural stability and energy efficiency, while supporting flexible living arrangements that can evolve with residents’ changing requirements.

Modular System and Structural Approach
Central to the design is a modular mass timber framework that replaces traditional concrete panels, enabling straightforward adjustments and facilitating faster, more sustainable construction. This system allows buildings to be modified over time, responding to demographic shifts and community growth with minimal disruption.

Community Integration and User-Centered Design
The layout prioritizes communal interaction through shared courtyards that encourage connections among diverse groups, including seniors, orphans, and single parents. Ground-level units provide accessibility for individuals with mobility challenges. Interior spaces are tailored to accommodate specific needs: spacious and supportive for elderly residents, safe and engaging for children. Natural light is maximized via strategically placed openings in the timber facade, creating bright interiors and fostering a connection to the outdoors. The design’s spatial organization balances private and communal areas to support both individual comfort and social cohesion.

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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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