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Modular Living Units with Steel Frames and Sustainable Cork Insulation for Community Resilience

Authors:
Seoyeon Han, Seokmin Lee, Seok Min Lee
Modular Living Units with Steel Frames and Sustainable Cork Insulation for Community Resilience

Project in-detail

Modular units constructed with steel frames and enhanced by sustainable cork insulation provide efficient living solutions that foster community engagement for migrant workers.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular configuration allows easy customization to fit varying family structures.
02
Innovative window system opens up to 90 degrees for enhanced space and light.
03
Integrated hydroponic gardens promote self-sufficiency within limited space.
04
Sustainable cork insulation contributes to energy efficiency and comfort.
05
Design adheres to local transport regulations for modular mobility.

### Overview

Located in South Korea, the Continuous Community Container (CCC) is an architectural design initiative focused on addressing housing challenges faced by migrant workers. The project seeks to provide sustainable and community-oriented living solutions within a limited spatial footprint of 25 square meters, adhering to regulations set by the Road Traffic Act for modular units. Each unit is designed to enhance livability while responding to the specific needs and conditions of this demographic.

### Design Principles

The CCC features a modular design consisting of various "cartridges" that allow for customized living arrangements, including a Family Main Module, Individual Cartridge, and Social Cartridge. This flexibility supports diverse lifestyles and facilitates user involvement in shaping their living spaces. An innovative window system enhances connectivity with the outside environment by allowing windows to open up to 90 degrees, thereby promoting interaction among residents.

### Sustainability and Materiality

Incorporating renewable energy solutions, the project features photovoltaic panels for solar energy generation and rainwater harvesting systems, positioning the units toward self-sufficiency. The material palette is deliberately chosen to enhance structural integrity and energy efficiency, comprising container wall and roof panels, a steel frame structure, cork insulation, and components for hydroponic gardens. These selections contribute to the overall sustainability goals of the design.

### Spatial Configuration

The layout of the CCC comprises multiple modular units organized to provide both privacy and opportunities for social interaction. Dedicated community corridors connect individual units while fostering areas for communal activities. The design ensures that each unit allocates space efficiently for essential facilities such as kitchens and shared living areas, balancing personal living with community engagement.

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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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