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Modular Living Spaces Featuring Hexagonal Steel and Glass at Urban Bridge Sites

Modular Living Spaces Featuring Hexagonal Steel and Glass at Urban Bridge Sites

Project in-detail

Hexagonal modules constructed from steel and glass transform under-utilized bridge spaces into adaptable living environments, addressing urban housing needs with a focus on sustainability and community interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Hexagonal modules optimize space usage and structural integrity beneath bridge infrastructure.
02
The design emphasizes sustainability by utilizing recycled steel and energy-efficient glass.
03
Flexible configurations allow units to adapt to varying community needs over time.
04
Communal areas promote social interaction among residents in a compact urban setting.
05
Integration with existing urban landscapes minimizes environmental impact and land use.

## Overview

Located beneath a prominent urban bridge, this housing initiative addresses the growing demand for affordable living solutions in metropolitan areas. By repurposing underutilized space, the project aims to provide accessible housing options for individuals facing challenges in securing traditional accommodations. The strategy focuses on integrating modular living units into the urban landscape, promoting a new model of urban dwelling that emphasizes both density and livability.

## Spatial Strategy and Modularity

The design employs hexagonal modular units, each with a diameter of five meters, cultivated to support various functions, including living, work, and communal spaces. The flexibility of these modules allows for a range of configurations—designated as A, B, C, and D—facilitating customization based on residents’ preferences and neighborhood needs. The heights of the modules vary, with living spaces at 2.5 meters and terraces at 1 meter, ensuring adaptability to users’ requirements while promoting a cohesive community atmosphere.

## Material Selection and Environmental Efficiency

Material choice is integral to the project's sustainability goals. Predominantly, steel is utilized for its strength and durability, particularly for structural components in a bridge environment. Glass is incorporated to enhance natural light and connectivity, promoting an inviting atmosphere in compact living quarters. Concrete provides stability, while wood may be used for interior elements, adhering to biophilic design principles that foster warmth and user comfort.

The project’s design also reflects a commitment to optimizing existing urban infrastructure, minimizing the need for new land development and thereby preserving green spaces. By integrating housing within bridge infrastructures, it presents a sustainable urban planning model that encourages community interaction and addresses contemporary needs for flexible and collaborative living spaces.

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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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