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Microhomes on Rooftops with Mycelium Façades for Urban Integration

Authors:
Katarina Deandra Wulandari Jauw, Joshua Henrique Holetz, Louise Marie Monique Spisser, Cynthia Bruinsma
Microhomes on Rooftops with Mycelium Façades for Urban Integration
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Microhomes made of mycelium façades are integrated onto rooftops in The Hague, addressing urban housing needs while promoting environmentally conscious living solutions.
5 key facts about this project
01
Microhomes are designed to be fully integrated into existing rooftops, minimizing visual impact.
02
Mycelium is used as a façade material, emphasizing sustainability and environmental sensitivity.
03
The layout promotes flexibility, allowing residents to customize their living experience.
04
Access is provided through existing common staircases, preserving ground-level integrity.
05
The project addresses urban housing needs while maintaining the character of the neighborhood.

The design focuses on integrating microhomes into the urban setting of The Hague, Netherlands. It aims to tackle housing shortages while addressing issues of geographical segregation. The concept of MYCORRHIZA draws inspiration from nature, where collaboration leads to mutual benefits. The project features microhomes that are discreetly placed, enhancing the neighborhood's character while providing much-needed housing.

Design Concept

The design emphasizes the idea of symbiosis, creating a relationship between the microhomes and the surrounding environment. Located on rooftops, these homes appear like small structures situated between inclined roofs. This careful positioning helps keep them out of sight from street view while making use of space that is often overlooked.

Interior Arrangement

Inside the microhomes, the layout is thoughtfully planned. Essential living elements are incorporated into walls and floors, allowing for efficient space use. This flexibility enables residents to customize their living areas according to their preferences. The arrangement promotes a sense of individuality while also challenging traditional residential designs.

Access and Environmental Integration

Access to these homes is provided by common staircases, which helps maintain the integrity of the ground level. This design choice limits the construction's impact on the surrounding area, making it easier for residents to feel part of the larger community. The project successfully addresses urban housing challenges without altering the existing landscape significantly.

Materiality

The façade of the microhomes features mycelium, a material that connects to the project’s central theme of collaboration while highlighting sustainability. This choice not only enhances the building's performance but also reflects modern ecological approaches in design. Using mycelium as outer covering demonstrates a commitment to reducing environmental effects while providing a practical and appealing aesthetic.

The overall design emphasizes the potential for microhomes to change urban living. It offers solutions that consider both personal needs and community dynamics, promoting a new way of thinking about housing in urban areas.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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