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Movable Wall System Enhancing Flexible Living in Urban Settings

Authors:
Alexey Sirotkin, Mikhail Sergeev
Movable Wall System Enhancing Flexible Living in Urban Settings

Project in-detail

Employing a movable wall system that allows for adaptable room configurations, the design addresses the diverse needs of urban residents by transforming traditional living spaces into flexible environments suitable for a variety of household sizes.
5 key facts about this project
01
Transformable panels create customizable living spaces for various household configurations.
02
The movable wall system enhances flexibility in urban apartment designs.
03
Strategically placed elements encourage a blend of communal and private living.
04
Meets contemporary standards for fire and sound insulation effortlessly.
05
Adaptable layouts allow for easy adjustment based on evolving resident needs.

The design focuses on the changing needs of households in New York City, looking to bridge the gap between the available sizes of apartments and the diverse requirements of modern living. It adopts a concept built around a movable wall system called the Trick-Track system. This system allows for the flexible arrangement of interior spaces, making it possible for layouts to be adjusted based on the needs of residents.

Transformable Panels

Transformable panels form the core of this approach. They create different room configurations to meet individual preferences and requirements. Allocations suggest that 7% of units will be studios, while one-bedrooms will make up 34%, two-bedrooms 33%, and apartments with three or more bedrooms 26%. This mix allows for a variety of living spaces that can adapt over time, appealing to the diversity of urban residents.

Spatial Integration

The design smartly integrates essential areas, including kitchens, common sections, entrances, utilities, and bathrooms. The positioning of these panels in key locations enhances the use of space by allowing residents to flow between private and shared areas easily. This layout maximizes comfort and accessibility, enabling a sense of ease in daily life while addressing the functional needs of urban dwellers.

Structural Considerations

Safety and comfort are key factors in the design. The project meets current standards for fire and sound insulation, ensuring that living spaces are secure and pleasant. By prioritizing these elements, the design not only focuses on aesthetics but also on adhering to important building regulations. This commitment to safety supports the overall goal of providing a reliable living environment that focuses on the individual needs of residents.

Attention to detail is evident throughout the design. The use of isolated frame construction around the movable panels significantly improves acoustics while maintaining the overall integrity of the living spaces. This thoughtful element enhances the effectiveness of the design, allowing for an efficient balance of privacy and community interaction.

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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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