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Recycled Aluminum Facades and Modular Units Redefine Urban Living in Montreal

Authors:
Kyara Ally Marcoux, Alexandra Lechasseur
Recycled Aluminum Facades and Modular Units Redefine Urban Living in Montreal

Project in-detail

Combining recycled aluminum facades with a modular layout, this residential initiative in Montreal establishes a sustainable approach to urban living while fostering community engagement through innovative shared spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Recycled aluminum facades enhance durability while reducing environmental impact.
02
Modular units allow for flexible living arrangements tailored to resident needs.
03
Ground-floor communal spaces promote social interaction and community engagement.
04
Phased construction minimizes waste and optimizes resource management.
05
Design integrates natural light through expansive glazing in modular layouts.

### Project Overview

The Re-Home initiative is a residential housing project located in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Montreal, Quebec. The design focuses on providing sustainable and adaptable living spaces through the use of modular and prefabricated construction methods. By incorporating recycled materials, the project aims to integrate effectively into the existing urban landscape while meeting contemporary housing demands.

### Architectural Form and Community Integration

The architectural design is characterized by clean lines and geometric forms that create a visually engaging composition. The façade alternates between solid and void elements, with cantilevered sections providing sheltered outdoor areas and balconies that enhance the connection to the surrounding environment. The ground floor features communal spaces, including gardens and common rooms, which encourage social interaction and contribute to a sense of community within the development.

The arrangement of residential units is optimized for natural light while offering various configurations to accommodate diverse family structures. This flexibility is reflected in a unit menu that allows residents to select layouts tailored to their needs.

### Sustainable Practices and Materiality

Sustainability is a core principle of the project, emphasizing the use of recycled materials throughout the construction process. Key materials include recycled aluminum for the façade and structural elements, wood for interior finishes, concrete for foundational support, and extensive glazing that enhances natural lighting. The prefabricated nature of the units streamlines construction, minimizing waste and reducing environmental impact.

Additionally, the project integrates energy-efficient technologies aimed at reducing overall energy consumption. Such practices not only contribute to a lower carbon footprint but also enhance the building's operational sustainability over its lifecycle.

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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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