Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Public Plaza and Interactive Courtyards in Collective Living Spaces

Authors:
Yeong joon Ko, Jae kyeong Moon, Dong hyun Limb, Gwang hyeon Park
Public Plaza and Interactive Courtyards in Collective Living Spaces

Project in-detail

The incorporation of a public plaza alongside interactive courtyards enhances communal living while providing sustainable host and guest spaces, addressing the housing needs of residents in Rome.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates a "C" shaped corridor to maximize natural light in lower levels.
02
Features a public plaza designed for community events and cultural programs.
03
Integrates rooftop gardens for sustainable food production and social gatherings.
04
Utilizes interconnected structures typical of Roman architecture for community cohesion.
05
Promotes collective living by allowing residents to host tourists, enhancing local economy.

The design addresses housing challenges faced by residents in Rome, a city known for its rich history and cultural significance. The aim is to create a solution that balances the needs of local inhabitants with those of incoming tourists. This housing scheme encourages locals to become hosts for travelers, fostering both cultural exchange and economic opportunities.

Housing Scheme Structure

The proposal includes four main categories: host space, guest space, shared space, and public space. Accommodations for hosts and guests are designed as single units, meeting essential needs such as sleeping areas and private bathrooms. Shared spaces for cooking and recreational activities are placed in central courtyards, promoting interaction among residents and visitors and strengthening community bonds.

Public Engagement

The ground floor is designed as an accessible public plaza, encouraging interaction and engagement between locals and tourists. This space is open and welcoming, facilitating cultural exchanges and local events. The layout merges new structures for communal activities with existing architectural forms typical of Rome, helping to create a cohesive urban environment.

Architectural Features

A key design element is the "C" shaped corridor, which enhances natural light access in lower levels of the building. This aspect improves the atmosphere within interior spaces. The design allows for flexibility, enabling diverse activities on various floors, including leisure and fitness facilities. This adaptability is important for accommodating the different needs of residents, while also ensuring that visitors feel welcome.

Cultural Integration

The commitment to public engagement is further emphasized by opportunities for cultural programs, such as exhibitions and concerts, held in the vibrant plaza. This space serves as a critical meeting point for both local residents and visitors, enriching the community's social life and experience. Personal stories shared in presentations showcase how residents envision their improved lives within this living framework, highlighting the benefits of this innovative housing solution.

The overall design combines public and private spaces thoughtfully. This approach ensures functionality while creating opportunities for community interaction, embodying a modern vision of urban living within the historical context of one of the world's oldest cities.

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