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Octagonal Residences with Recycled Ceramic Tiles and Green Roofs for Community Living

Authors:
Maya Natalia Alonso Olivares, Usue Monge Lorenzo, Ruth Mota Villalobos
Octagonal Residences with Recycled Ceramic Tiles and Green Roofs for Community Living

Project in-detail

Utilizing octagonal forms and locally sourced materials, this housing initiative integrates recycled ceramic tiles and green roofs to create adaptable residences that foster community engagement and sustainable living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Octagonal building design maximizes natural light and ventilation.
02
Incorporates locally sourced recycled ceramic tiles for sustainability.
03
Features green roofs integrated for rainwater collection and insulation.
04
Modular units designed for adaptability to diverse resident needs.
05
Community spaces promote social interaction and cooperative living.

### Project Overview

Minilla is situated in Barcelona, addressing key urban issues such as urbanization and gentrification while fostering communal living. The project aims to provide a sustainable, adaptable, and inclusive housing solution that embodies principles of accessibility, functionality, and aesthetic integration. By prioritizing equity and social justice, Minilla serves a diverse population through carefully considered design interventions.

### Spatial Strategy and Community Interaction

The spatial organization of Minilla employs a grid layout that balances individuality with communal engagement. Open shared spaces are interspersed among private units to promote social cohesion and facilitate outdoor activities. This arrangement enhances opportunities for residents to interact, fostering relationships and community ties. Each residential unit is designed with modular configurations to accommodate varying household sizes and needs, with an emphasis on accessibility for all residents.

### Materiality and Sustainability

Reflective of Barcelona's architectural heritage, the structures are characterized by octagonal forms that maximize natural light and ventilation. Key materials include traditional brick for warmth, sustainably sourced wood for structural and finishing elements, and recycled ceramic tiles for both aesthetic appeal and reduced environmental impact. Insulation materials are strategically employed to improve thermal efficiency. Sustainable practices featured within the project include green roofs for rainwater management, energy-efficient appliances, and passive cross-ventilation techniques, all of which contribute to minimizing the ecological footprint of the development.

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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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