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Recycled Bricks and Green Roofs in a Community-Centered Space

Author:
Hui yu Tan
Recycled Bricks and Green Roofs in a Community-Centered Space

Project in-detail

Constructed with recycled bricks and topped with green roofs, the community space fosters personal reflection and social interaction through its thoughtful circular design.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with recycled bricks to enhance sustainability.
02
Circular layout fosters community engagement and personal reflection.
03
Green roofs provide ecological benefits and accessible outdoor space.
04
Design includes meditation spots along a dedicated walking trail.
05
Flexible community hall accommodates diverse gatherings and events.

The Living Circles, designed as the Spirala Community Home, represents a thoughtful approach to community living. Set in a serene location, the design encourages personal growth and fosters a sense of belonging. The layout combines a series of circular spaces that promote interaction among residents while also providing areas for quiet reflection. The design is driven by three key principles: the birth of a new self, the birth of a new community, and the birth of new materials, all focusing on a supportive environment.

Spatial Arrangement

The layout of the building features concentric circles that help define different areas for activities and gatherings. At the center is the community hall, which can hold around 50 people. This flexible space can be adjusted to suit various group sizes and events, utilizing curtains as room dividers. Such design choices allow for a lively communal atmosphere while accommodating the need for solitude.



Integration with Nature

The outdoor spaces are carefully included in the design to enhance living experiences. An outdoor deck acts as a place for social gatherings, while meditation spots along a walking trail encourage residents to connect with nature. These elements contribute to a calm atmosphere and invite moments of reflection, emphasizing the focus on overall well-being in the design.



Sustainable Features

Green roofs are an important aspect of the overall strategy, serving both practical and aesthetic functions. They help reduce environmental impact while providing opportunities for residents to enjoy expansive views of the surrounding area. This area transforms throughout the day, serving as a communal space during daylight hours and as an observatory in the evening, thus bridging the gap between the interior and the exterior.



Materiality and Texture

Sustainability is further prioritized through the use of recycled materials. Recycled bricks are utilized for construction, offering a tactile quality that fits well with the location. Glass panels are strategically placed to frame views of the outside environment, enhancing the visual connection between indoor spaces and nature.



Within these carefully designed circles, green pockets provide peaceful areas for healing and introspection. These spaces encourage residents to engage in personal growth while reinforcing the commitment to fostering a supportive community 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

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