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Modular Facades Enhanced with Lightweight Concrete and Steel Frames for Sustainable Community Living

Authors:
Paul Henry Sündermann, Maja Christin Leichtner
Modular Facades Enhanced with Lightweight Concrete and Steel Frames for Sustainable Community Living

Project in-detail

Modular façades constructed with lightweight concrete and steel frames redefine urban living spaces, enhancing community interaction and functionality within the residential blocks of Saltivka.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular design allows for customizable living spaces that adapt to resident needs.
02
Winter gardens are transformed into functional areas enhancing natural light and usability.
03
Community-oriented features encourage social interaction among residents.
04
Steel frames enable flexible facade configurations without compromising structural integrity.
05
Lightweight concrete reduces construction time and minimizes environmental impact.

## Project Overview

The architectural design project focuses on improving existing residential structures in Saltivka, a neighborhood characterized by challenges related to spatial efficiency and livability. The primary intent is to implement a "RETROFIT-SYSTEM" that enhances the functionality and aesthetic appeal of these blocks while promoting community interaction. This approach integrates current structures with new modular designs to address diverse resident needs without extensive demolition or disruption.

## Spatial Strategy and Community Engagement

The project’s spatial strategy emphasizes the activation of underutilized areas, particularly dysfunctional winter gardens and communal spaces. By refining these typologies, the design aims to optimize light quality and usability, transforming winter gardens into vibrant spaces for leisure while enhancing communal areas into hubs for social interaction. A comprehensive analysis of individual blocks informs the development of a "universal toolkit," comprising modular elements with adjustable depths and adaptable façades, which allows for tailored responses to user requirements while maintaining a cohesive architectural language.

## Materiality and Design Flexibility

The choice of materials is grounded in modern building practices that underscore sustainability and functionality. The structural framework incorporates steel frames for integrity, lightweight concrete for walls and ceilings, and glass panels to facilitate natural light and visual connections to the outdoors. Wood elements are utilized in shared spaces to introduce warmth and acoustic benefits. The flexibility inherent in the modular design not only accommodates specific user preferences but also integrates public and private domains, enhancing movement and connectivity throughout Saltivka. Public modules are designed to serve multiple functions, including cafes and libraries, fostering diverse communal activities.

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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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