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Maximizing Natural Light Through Carved Atriums In Affordable Urban Housing

Authors:
Julia Peña, Fabian Diaz luevano
Maximizing Natural Light Through Carved Atriums In Affordable Urban Housing

Project in-detail

Carved atriums enhance natural light in a repurposed parking structure, creating an affordable housing community enriched with native vegetation and diverse amenities for urban residents.
5 key facts about this project
01
Carved atriums enhance daylighting and ventilation throughout the residential units.
02
Native vegetation integrates with the facade to improve air quality and thermal performance.
03
A large variety of community amenities fosters engagement and supports residents' well-being.
04
The project repurposes an existing parking structure to minimize environmental impact.
05
Design focuses on affordability while providing diverse unit types for various household sizes.

The IDSCEL Center in Los Angeles reimagines the use of an existing parking structure by transforming it into a mixed-use development aimed at addressing housing needs and providing community services. The design focuses on creating a practical environment that encourages social interaction and accessibility for various groups. It aligns with urban goals to enhance livability while ensuring the efficient use of space in a dense setting.

Adaptive Reuse Strategy
The building repurposes a parking garage into a residential space with 328 affordable housing units. These dwellings include studios, one-bedroom units, and two-bedroom apartments, which cater to a range of residents facing housing challenges. The existing structure contributes an additional 148 units, making it a resource-efficient solution that seeks to reduce the environmental footprint typically associated with new construction.

Climatic Responsiveness
The architecture prioritizes climate adaptation by maximizing natural light in the living areas. Carved atriums and terraced plates are designed to bring sunlight into the building, enhancing the comfort and energy efficiency of the units. These architectural elements help create a pleasant indoor environment that responds to Los Angeles's climate while supporting the overall well-being of the residents.

Integrated Community Amenities
The IDSCEL Center offers a mix of features that enrich community life and support daily activities. It includes bicycle parking, public storage, and spaces for educational programs. Facilities such as showers, restrooms, and a child development center cater to essential needs while promoting active engagement within the community. There are also plans for an urban farm or park, which introduces green space and encourages connections to nature in an otherwise urban landscape.

Design Details
Native vegetation is incorporated into the design as part of the landscape, serving as a natural barrier that helps with air quality and temperature regulation. This greenery not only enhances the visual appeal of the building but also functions to improve the living conditions for residents. Every detail in the design reflects a commitment to sustainability and community welfare, contributing to a thoughtful addition to the Los Angeles environment.

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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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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