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Modular Housing Solutions for Urban Communities

Authors:
Reem Abdelaal, Rui Zhang
Modular Housing Solutions for Urban Communities
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Constructed with modular, prefabricated units, the design offers adaptable housing solutions that enhance community engagement while addressing the urgent need for affordable living spaces in urban settings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Prefabricated units allow for rapid assembly and lower construction costs.
02
Flexible configurations enable accommodation for different family sizes.
03
Standardized extension modules can be easily added for customization.
04
Multifunctional spaces support community interaction and service integration.
05
Focus on affordability ensures units remain accessible to low-income households.

The project addresses a significant challenge in Toronto: the growing need for affordable housing. Located primarily in the Bay Street Corridor, it seeks to provide housing options that are accessible to a wide range of residents. The goal is to create units that cost no more than 30% of a household's monthly income. The design concept revolves around modular housing solutions that prioritize adaptability and community connection, offering a practical response to pressing housing issues.

Modular Framework

A key feature of the design is a modular framework built from prefabricated units. These units consist of multiple panels that can be easily assembled, which helps reduce both construction time and costs. This system supports various configurations, allowing units to be connected together. This flexibility makes it possible to accommodate families of different sizes and adapt living spaces as needs change over time.

Community Integration

The design goes beyond providing simply residential units. It includes multifunctional spaces that support recreation, commerce, and care services. This approach promotes a lively community environment. By integrating such diverse functions, the project encourages social interaction among residents and aims to enhance their overall quality of life.

Personalization and Adaptability

Another important element is the potential for personalization within each modular panel. Households can modify their living spaces to better fit their individual needs. There are opportunities to add standardized extension modules, which allow families to expand their homes with additional rooms or dedicated office spaces. This adaptability ensures that units can respond effectively to the evolving demands of each household.

The emphasis in the design is on fostering a sense of belonging within the urban fabric. By balancing affordability, functionality, and community-friendly features, the outcome is a practical solution for Toronto's housing market. The interconnected nature of the units, along with their versatile design, provides enhanced living environments while promoting meaningful connections among residents and their surroundings.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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