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Natural Ponds and Outdoor Nurseries in Community Living Spaces

Author:
Mabel Parsons
Natural Ponds and Outdoor Nurseries in Community Living Spaces

Project in-detail

Integrating natural ponds and outdoor nurseries, the design promotes sustainable living while providing affordable housing for single-parent families in Peckham.
5 key facts about this project
01
Flexible housing units allow for adaptation as family needs change.
02
Community Land Trust model ensures collective ownership and affordability.
03
Natural ponds serve both recreational and ecological functions.
04
Design incorporates outdoor nurseries for gardening and education.
05
Phased development enables gradual growth of the resident community.

The Peckham Experiment project presents a collective housing model focused on providing affordable living for single-parent families in Peckham, Southwark, London. Inspired by the original Peckham Experiment from 1926, it emphasizes the importance of health and well-being as interconnected elements of life. The design aims to create a space where social, communal, and physical activities can flourish, enhancing the overall quality of life for its residents.

Collective Living and Phased Development
The development is structured in phases, allowing for gradual growth among single-parent families. The first phase sets the groundwork for the community, focusing on securing the site and establishing essential services. As families move in, subsequent phases facilitate expansion and adaptation, ensuring that living environments can respond to changing needs over time.

Integration of Community Land Trust
This initiative also incorporates a Community Land Trust model, which allows families to collectively own the land, promoting both affordability and sustainability. Self-sufficiency is a key principle that runs through the project, incorporating renewable energy and water systems to support long-term ecological responsibility. By planning for future needs, the design provides a sustainable solution to urban living.

Communal Amenities and Ecological Features
Significant features of the design include spaces for communal interaction and skill-sharing, as well as areas for selling produce grown on-site. These elements actively encourage economic participation while helping residents build connections with each other and their environment. The presence of natural ponds and designated nursery areas enhances biodiversity, providing residents with educational opportunities and fostering a sense of responsibility towards the environment.

The thoughtful integration of communal living spaces and natural elements establishes a supportive community atmosphere. Landscape gardens, growing areas, and open spaces not only serve practical functions but also emphasize harmony with nature, reflecting a commitment to both environmental stewardship and social cohesion.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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