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Modular Spaces for Decentralized Business and Temporary Residency

Authors:
Fatima Al doukhi, Brian Berk
Modular Spaces for Decentralized Business and Temporary Residency

Project in-detail

Strategically incorporating modular design elements, the building facilitates a blend of decentralized business functions and temporary living spaces, adapting to the rapidly changing demands of modern work environments.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular design allows for easy reconfiguration to meet changing needs.
02
The building integrates temporary housing with commercial functions.
03
Cross-laminated timber panels enhance structural efficiency and sustainability.
04
Charred wooden shingles provide fire resistance while serving aesthetic purposes.
05
The bent A-frame design optimizes natural light and ventilation.

The office building of the near future is designed in response to the changing landscape of work driven by eCommerce and telecommuting. Located in urban areas such as Dubai and other petroleum-producing nations, it aims to move away from large, dedicated office spaces. Instead, it incorporates flexible, temporary, and need-based work environments that support smaller, decentralized business practices while creating a cohesive space for diverse activities.

Integration of Functions

This design emphasizes a comprehensive approach, pulling together various functions under one roof. The building includes retail, transient businesses, personal workspaces, temporary housing, and manufacturing facilities. This blend of activities encourages interaction among different business sectors, enabling collaboration that enhances the functionality of the overall space.

Adaptability and Growth

A key aspect of the design is its ability to grow and adapt over time. It features a system of interconnected programmatic modules that can be reconfigured based on changing demands. This allows short-term tenants to adjust their spaces to meet specific needs while also accommodating the requirements of larger businesses. The design prioritizes versatility, making it easy for users to modify their surroundings.

Responding to Economic Shifts

The project provides solutions for the evolving employment landscape, especially as traditional industries decline. By offering a flexible environment, it generates opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs to flourish in a collaborative setting. This adaptability is important as markets increasingly focus on renewable energy and sustainable practices.

The architectural design promotes individual enterprises while fostering a shared community, effectively blending different business types. The careful arrangement of these elements ensures the building serves as a functional and adaptable workspace suited for diverse users and their varied needs.

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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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