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Operable Roof and Modular Panels Reshape Urban Living

Authors:
Snezhana Ryabova, Valeria Perevozchikova, Daria Istomina
Operable Roof and Modular Panels Reshape Urban Living

Project in-detail

An operable roof enhances the modular design using panels, creating flexible public spaces that foster community interaction within a mixed-use residential setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Operable roofs provide flexible public spaces that can be adapted for various community activities.
02
The first residential floor is elevated on pylons, creating additional park space beneath the structures.
03
Modular panels in the façade offer unique design variations while maintaining a cohesive architectural language.
04
Community courtyards serve as focal points, facilitating social interaction among residents.
05
Distinct architectural typologies—tower, tape, and wavy—respond thoughtfully to the urban context.

The project introduces a modular design concept focused on improving urban living through adaptability and community interaction. Located in a culturally significant urban area, it allows residents to adjust their living conditions via a smartphone application. The goal is to address the growing need for personalized residential spaces in contemporary society.

Architectural Typologies

Three distinct typologies emerge from the design: the tower structure, the tape structure, and the wavy structure. Each type arises from an in-depth examination of urban voids, measured by size, shape, and location. This detailed analysis ensures that the buildings connect well with their surroundings and fit harmoniously into the urban environment.

Community Engagement

The design draws from elements of Roman residential architecture, with courtyards that serve as important communal spaces. It carefully separates residential areas from public ones, enhancing privacy while promoting social interactions. The ground floor is dedicated to commercial uses, adding life to the environment and making it accessible for residents and visitors alike.

Innovative Spatial Solutions

Innovative strategies are woven throughout the design. An operable roof offers additional public space, encouraging residents to come together. The first residential floor is elevated on structural pylons, creating open park areas beneath the buildings and contributing positively to the ecological landscape. Public spaces on each level encourage connection and activity among the community members.

Façade and Materiality

The façade consists of modular panels, granting flexibility and distinctiveness to each structure while maintaining a unified architectural language. This approach allows for unique expressions within the complex, while the cohesive design binds the typologies together. The arrangement of the façade enhances the visual character of the buildings, reflecting the historical and cultural context of the site, including areas such as Via Pietro Antonio Micheli and Piazza dei Condottieri.

Through these carefully considered features, the design reflects both functionality and the desires of the community, highlighted particularly in its architectural details.

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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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