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Rainwater Management and Glass Entrances in Urban Housing Solutions

Authors:
Martina Hrgovan, Ivana Lazic
Rainwater Management and Glass Entrances in Urban Housing Solutions
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Incorporating large glass entrances and effective rainwater management, the design offers compact housing solutions tailored for young residents in Vienna's urban landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Large glass entrances facilitate direct street engagement while maintaining interior privacy.
02
Rainwater management systems are integrated to support sustainability and efficient resource use.
03
Strategic window placement enhances natural light while preventing direct views into neighboring units.
04
Sliding doors between living and sleeping areas allow flexible use of space throughout the day.
05
The design incorporates photovoltaic panels for energy generation, promoting an off-grid lifestyle.

The Minium community is situated in the 19th district of Vienna, Austria, surrounded by a mix of low-rise buildings and green areas. It focuses on providing housing for young residents facing the challenges of a densely populated urban setting. The design centers on small houses that not only promote a sense of community but also ensure privacy for their inhabitants.

Spatial Configuration
The arrangement includes small houses that encourage social interaction while maintaining personal space. Each unit features large windows on one side and smaller ones above, which help to allow natural light and fresh air to flow through. This design choice is intentional; it prevents direct views into other residences, ensuring that privacy is upheld in a closely built environment.

Public Engagement
A notable feature is the large glass entrance that interacts with the street. This design invites people walking by to engage with the space while maintaining the privacy of the living quarters inside. Inside, a sliding door separates the living area from the bedroom, offering flexibility for different activities and uses throughout the day.

Sustainability Features
Sustainability is another key component of the design. The project incorporates systems that enhance energy efficiency and water management. Rainwater collection and effective air ventilation are central elements. Additionally, photovoltaic panels capture sunlight for energy, while integrated greywater and blackwater tanks support an off-grid lifestyle, contributing to the project's eco-friendly objectives.

Design Sensibility
The roof design is equipped with large windows, which provide expansive views of the sky above. This allows an influx of natural light into the compact living spaces. The careful placement of glazing elevates the living experience by creating a feeling of openness, which is often lacking in urban environments.

The Minium community thoughtfully addresses the realities of urban living. It brings together innovative design elements that focus on both functionality and the comfort of its residents.

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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.

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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
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Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

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