Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Panoramic Green Roof with Internal Gardens in Co-Housing Development

Authors:
Domenico Silvestri, Angela Cuman, Tommaso Depedri
Panoramic Green Roof with Internal Gardens in Co-Housing Development

Project in-detail

A panoramic green roof integrates with internal gardens to enhance communal living, supporting a co-housing model that fosters social interaction while addressing modern urban housing needs.
5 key facts about this project
01
Co-housing areas integrate private and communal spaces to enhance social interaction.
02
A panoramic green roof provides recreational space, contributing to urban greening.
03
Internal gardens promote natural light and ventilation throughout the building.
04
Spaces are designed with consideration for sun exposure and wind direction.
05
The project maintains historical elements while adapting to contemporary needs.

The recent design represents a significant step in urban living, situated within a historical context that emphasizes community and adaptability. It combines residential, co-housing, and commercial spaces into a unified framework aimed at promoting social interaction and enhancing living conditions. The layout utilizes available space effectively to meet contemporary housing needs while fostering a sense of belonging among residents.

CO-HOUSING INTEGRATION

The design strongly emphasizes co-housing, increasing the number of people who can live in the development by creating multi-storey shared living areas. This setup allows for a mix of private rooms and communal spaces, such as kitchens and living rooms, encouraging interaction among residents. Such arrangements help build community bonds and support different lifestyles, making life within the building more engaging.

PUBLIC GREEN ROOF

A key feature is the public panoramic green roof terrace, providing residents with access to outdoor recreational spaces that improve well-being. This terrace acts as a social hub while also contributing positively to the urban environment. By incorporating greenery, the design enhances both aesthetics and opportunities for residents to relax and enjoy outdoor activities in nature.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

Environmental sustainability plays a crucial role in the design approach. Factors such as sun exposure and prevailing wind directions are taken into account to optimize natural light and air circulation within the living spaces. External corridors and internal gardens are included, allowing residents to connect with nature, which improves quality of life and fosters a sense of community.

SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT

The layout displays a thoughtful distribution of different functions, with co-housing areas making up 30.5% of the total space, private apartments at 38.7%, and communal spaces at 23.5%. Co-working areas and commercial zones further enrich the design, responding to the needs of today’s urban population. This project also draws from its historical background, dating back to 1962, and incorporates elements that respect the architectural legacy while adapting to modern living, similar to notable buildings like Balfron Tower.

The design features external corridors and internal gardens that not only enhance visual appeal but also promote light and air flow throughout the building. This contributes to a welcoming atmosphere, encouraging residents to engage with their surroundings and with each other.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy