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Modular Living Units With Integrated Solar Systems for Flexible Urban Families

Author:
Raffi Minaskan
Modular Living Units With Integrated Solar Systems for Flexible Urban Families

Project in-detail

Modular living units equipped with solar panels and a focus on greywater reuse provide flexible housing solutions for urban families seeking adaptable and sustainable lifestyles.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular units enable easy reconfiguration as family needs change.
02
Solar panel systems integrated into rooftop designs promote energy efficiency.
03
Greywater capture and reuse strategies reduce water consumption.
04
The standardized 2.7-by-2.7-meter cube system allows for vertical expansion.
05
Design fosters connection through communal spaces while maintaining privacy.

Join House is an architectural design situated in The Netherlands that focuses on meeting the diverse needs of families. The project emphasizes flexibility and functionality, aiming to provide living spaces that adapt over time. By combining modular elements with sustainable features, it reflects the current demands of urban living while fostering a sense of community among residents.

Modularity and Adaptability

The design is built on a modular framework that employs standardized building blocks. This allows for a variety of living unit types, including Start Units, Family Units, Eating Units, Wash Units, Combi Units, and Sleep Units. Each unit has a cube shape measuring 2.7 by 2.7 meters, which makes it easy to configure and reconfigure according to individual family needs. The approach supports personalization and efficiency in the use of space, accommodating changes in family size and composition.

Sustainability Strategies

The project incorporates several strategies to enhance sustainability. Rooftops are designed to include solar panel systems, contributing to energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Natural ventilation is also a key element, ensuring that living spaces remain comfortable without excessive energy use. The architecture allows for greywater capture and purification, taking steps to lower reliance on traditional sewage systems and promote responsible water management practices.

Community Integration

Join House places a strong focus on encouraging community interactions among residents. The design enables smooth transitions between indoor and outdoor areas, creating easy access to shared spaces. Elements such as arcades, roof terraces, and connecting arches help strengthen social connections while maintaining individual privacy. This thoughtful integration creates a welcoming environment, enhancing the sense of belonging within the neighborhood.

Design Detail

The thoughtful arrangement of living spaces allows for vertical expansion, which can accommodate family growth over time. The design optimizes natural light and airflow, creating bright and airy interiors. Additionally, careful consideration of these features results in a visually appealing structure that aligns well with its urban setting. Join House illustrates a practical approach to modern living, prioritizing adaptability while responding to the needs of its 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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