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Rammed Earth Structures with Integrative Community Spaces for Intergenerational Living

Authors:
Isabella Silva Altemani, Nayeon Kim
Rammed Earth Structures with Integrative Community Spaces for Intergenerational Living

Project in-detail

Utilizing rammed earth construction and flexible communal areas, the design fosters intergenerational connections while providing a supportive environment for senior living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes excavated soil from the site to create sustainable rammed earth walls.
02
Features versatile communal areas designed for both social interaction and personal reflection.
03
Incorporates accessible pathways connecting interior spaces to outdoor gardens.
04
Integrates childcare facilities within senior living spaces to promote intergenerational activities.
05
Employs a hybrid structural framework combining steel for durability and flexibility in design.

### Project Overview
Located within an urban context focused on sustainable development, this senior housing initiative emphasizes community interaction and intergenerational engagement. The design merges residential living with cultural and social spaces, addressing both environmental concerns and the dynamics of contemporary residential communities.

### Spatial Strategy
The layout navigates the balance between communal and private realms, ensuring personal space does not compromise community connectivity. The housing block functions as a community hub, integrating pathways that connect indoor and outdoor environments, thereby facilitating social interaction and personal retreat. The ground floor includes housing units alongside shared cultural areas, while the upper levels are dedicated to senior living, featuring universally accessible communal spaces. Outdoor areas are designed to host gardens, play areas, and seating, creating adaptable environments that cater to diverse activities.

### Materiality and Aesthetic Considerations
The design prioritizes sustainable materials, notably through the use of rammed earth for its thermal efficiency and tactile qualities, along with a structural framework of steel to enhance durability and design flexibility. Incorporating excavated earth from the site emphasizes a circular construction approach. The natural color palette and organic textures of the materials contribute to a welcoming aesthetic, promoting a sense of home and connection with the surrounding environment.

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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

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
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