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Modular Living Units Featuring Low-Emissivity Glass and Sustainable Wood Elements

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Modular Living Units Featuring Low-Emissivity Glass and Sustainable Wood Elements
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Incorporating modular living units with low-emissivity glass and sustainable wood elements, this design addresses urban mobility by offering adaptable housing solutions.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular design allows for easy reconfiguration and personalization of living spaces.
02
Low-emissivity glass enhances energy efficiency while maintaining natural light flow.
03
Sustainable wood elements contribute to environmental responsibility without sacrificing aesthetics.
04
Plug-in systems facilitate quick adaptations and expansion of living units.
05
A bent A-frame structure improves structural integrity and interior space usability.

### Overview
The "Life Bag" project presents a contemporary residential model designed to address challenges associated with urban living, specifically in densely populated cities. This project emphasizes portability and adaptability, creating a dwelling concept that reflects the evolving nature of home in response to urban densification and limited living spaces. By incorporating modularity and flexibility, the design enables residents to enhance their living experience while accommodating their dynamic lifestyles.

### Spatial Modularity and User-Centric Design
At the core of the "Life Bag" design is the principle of modularity, which allows individual units to operate independently while still being interconnected. This arrangement supports a living environment that can be easily transported, reconfigured, and personalized according to individual needs. Features such as detachable walls, plug-in systems, and smart technologies facilitate a customized layout, enhancing both functionality and user experience. The inclusion of modular furniture configurations emphasizes practicality while maintaining aesthetic coherence.

### Material Selection and Sustainability
The project employs a diverse range of materials that prioritize durability and sustainability. The structural framework consists of pre-fabricated steel or aluminum, known for their lightweight characteristics, which is complemented by a facade of low-emissivity glass that optimizes natural light and energy efficiency. Interior spaces are enriched with sustainable wood veneers and high-performance composite materials, which provide comfort and resilience against frequent changes in usage. Additionally, energy-efficient insulation and emergency systems contribute to the overall safety and sustainability of the design, reinforcing its suitability for contemporary urban environments.

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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.

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Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

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