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Modular Solar Tiles Enhance Communal Living Among Historic Courtyards

Author:
Abel Maqueira
Modular Solar Tiles Enhance Communal Living Among Historic Courtyards

Project in-detail

Modular solar tiles integrate with Haussmannian architecture to create communal living units that enhance urban density and social connectivity in the heart of Paris.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular solar tiles facilitate energy efficiency in urban housing.
02
Design incorporates Haussmannian parti-walls for contextual integration.
03
Open roof decks provide communal outdoor spaces for residents.
04
Elevator cores located within courtyards enhance social interaction.
05
Communal living units promote shared facilities and collaboration.

The design responds to the existing housing needs in Paris, located within the city's historical context. It aims to integrate new living spaces while respecting the character of the surrounding architecture. The concept centers around a careful adjustment to height, enabling the city to accommodate contemporary living demands while preserving its historical integrity.

Height Augmentation

The strategy proposes an increase in height by adding a single storey to existing buildings in a methodical manner. This block-by-block approach allows for gradual changes in the urban landscape, blending new units into the historic fabric. By using variations in height from neighboring structures, the design facilitates the addition of 1 to 2 storeys that align with the established skyline.

Access and Circulation

Interior circulation is critical to the design, with access to the new housing units managed through elevator and stair cores situated within the interior courtyards. This setup supports easy movement for residents and encourages social interactions. The communal access points enhance a sense of community, creating connections between various areas and promoting engagement among inhabitants.

Communal Living Spaces

Modern urban lifestyles are reflected in the design's communal units, featuring shared kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas complemented by private bedrooms. This arrangement promotes social connections among residents, aligning with current trends in collaborative living. The interior courtyards also include communal hubs, which offer spaces for gathering and interaction.

Roofscape and Outdoor Integration

An important feature is the roofscape, designed with cut-out areas that create communal outdoor spaces. These open decks serve as extensions of the living areas, providing residents with opportunities for recreation and socializing outdoors. This approach enhances livability, allowing for enjoyment of fresh air and interaction within the community.

The design employs a perimeter truss system that anchors to the existing parti wall, allowing for a stable union with the historic buildings below. This structural decision minimizes disruption while preserving the surroundings. Additionally, the project includes a modular solar tile system that aims to improve energy efficiency and offers flexibility in design.

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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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