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Modular Towers Constructed With Bamboo and ETFE for Sustainable Urban Living

Authors:
Michael Kwan, Hunter Lee, Alex Raymundo
Modular Towers Constructed With Bamboo and ETFE for Sustainable Urban Living

Project in-detail

Constructed with bamboo and incorporating ETFE elements, the design provides adaptable high-density living solutions within Hong Kong's urban landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using bamboo for structural reinforcement, enhancing sustainability.
02
Utilizes ETFE for lightweight, durable roofing and façade elements.
03
Integrates rice husk insulation for improved energy efficiency and sustainability.
04
Features a central core design that optimizes vertical circulation and service access.
05
Incorporates communal green spaces to promote resident interaction and community.

### Overview

Located in Hong Kong, the DOT MATRIX Towers address the urgent need for affordable housing within an increasingly costly urban landscape. This project aims to utilize underdeveloped land efficiently to create high-density residential environments that foster economic diversity and enhance community integration. Through sustainable design strategies and a focus on modular construction, the project contributes to the urban fabric by offering adaptable housing typologies suitable for various contexts.

### Material Economy

The design emphasizes a careful selection of materials to achieve environmental sustainability and construction efficiency. Bamboo is utilized as an eco-friendly reinforcement due to its strength and sustainable properties. Steel is integral to the structural system, ensuring necessary durability. Additionally, rice husk is used for insulation, leveraging agricultural waste to provide thermal performance while minimizing environmental impact. ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) has been selected for its lightweight and insulating properties, serving as a modern alternative to traditional glass and promoting energy efficiency in the building envelope.

### Space Configuration and User Experience

The spatial organization of the DOT MATRIX Towers centers around a core system that enhances structural stability while facilitating ventilation and circulation. Residential pods radiate from this core, allowing for maximized natural light and cross-ventilation, crucial in dense urban settings. The versatility of the pod designs accommodates various living arrangements, including studio units, two-bedroom options, and community spaces equipped with amenities such as a gym, communal gardens, and laundry facilities. These shared spaces are strategically designed to enhance resident interaction and foster a sense of community essential for high-density living 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.

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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