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Modular Living Spaces with Steel Framework and Timber Cladding Designing Community Integration

Authors:
Tom Vincent, Gina Andreou, Manuel Urbina, Ben Hawkins
Modular Living Spaces with Steel Framework and Timber Cladding Designing Community Integration

Project in-detail

The pixelated design of stacked modular units, constructed with a steel framework and adorned with timber cladding, creates adaptable living spaces that foster community interaction in a high-density urban context.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular units can be easily reconfigured to adapt to changing resident needs.
02
The design incorporates communal areas that promote social interaction among residents.
03
A steel framework provides structural support while maximizing air circulation.
04
Timber cladding enhances aesthetic appeal and improves insulation properties.
05
The project emphasizes vertical living to optimize land use in a dense urban setting.

## Project Overview

Located in the densely populated context of Hong Kong, the design focuses on addressing the critical housing shortage through modular living spaces known as "Pixel Towers." This concept not only takes advantage of the city’s vertical growth capacity but also aims to foster social interactions within a limited urban setting. By offering adaptable and flexible housing solutions, the project aligns with contemporary needs for affordable accommodation.

## Spatial Strategy and User Connectivity

The design employs a skeletal steel framework based on a 10m x 10m footprint, which maximizes occupancy and promotes versatile land use. The modular arrangement allows for individual living units to be stacked and altered as required, facilitating a customized approach to urban living. The spatial configuration distinctly separates public and private areas, ensuring that communal spaces for social events are strategically integrated at various levels, thereby encouraging interaction among residents. Units vary in size from 32 to 70 square meters, accommodating diverse family structures and individual needs.

## Material Selection and Sustainability

A focus on sustainability and aesthetics informs the choice of materials throughout the project. The primary structural element is steel, chosen for its strength and ability to support adequate air circulation in humid conditions. Timbers are used for aesthetic enhancement and environmental insulation, while tiled and carpeted interiors prioritize comfort and practicality. The construction process emphasizes pre-fabrication, which streamlines assembly and reduces on-site disruption, all while promoting efficient use of resources and ensuring consistent quality across units.

The project also aims to integrate with the existing urban landscape, enhancing connectivity to public transport and green spaces, ultimately encouraging sustainable lifestyles among residents.

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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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