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Recycled Concrete and Sustainable Wood Create Flexible Living Spaces in Urban Context

Authors:
Flavjo Cyci, Sonja Hoxha
Recycled Concrete and Sustainable Wood Create Flexible Living Spaces in Urban Context

Project in-detail

Constructed with recycled concrete and sustainable wood, the design integrates modular cores to enhance flexibility in urban living environments.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes recycled concrete sourced from local deconstruction projects.
02
Incorporates charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and fire resistance.
03
Features modular cores that allow for future expansion and adaptability.
04
Integrates extensive greenery through green roofs promoting biodiversity.
05
Design includes emergency shelters built into the living spaces for community safety.

### Overview

Located within a dynamic urban environment, "CoExistence" aims to redefine modern living by integrating social, environmental, and architectural considerations. The project seeks to enhance the existing urban fabric while prioritizing community needs and sustainability. Through modular adaptability and a community-centric design, the architecture acknowledges the unique cultural identity of its surroundings, exemplified by the incorporation of locally inspired motifs.

### Materiality and Sustainability

The design employs a palette of recycled materials, focusing on repurposed concrete and sustainable wood to minimize environmental impact and enrich the urban landscape. Key materials include:

- **Recycled Concrete**: Sourced from deconstructed buildings, supporting sustainability principles.
- **Sustainable Wood**: Utilized in facades and structural elements, contributing to the durability and aesthetic qualities of the project.
- **Glass**: Incorporated to enhance natural light access and create transparency within the spaces.
- **Metal**: Used in structural components and finishing details, offering both resilience and a contemporary aesthetic.
- **Green Roof Systems**: Designed to improve thermal efficiency and foster local biodiversity.

This thoughtful selection of materials not only reinforces the project’s ecological goals but also promotes a narrative of continuity, resonating with the local context.

### Spatial Strategy and Community Engagement

The spatial organization of "CoExistence" emphasizes mobility and accessibility through the integration of pedestrian pathways and communal gathering spaces. The layout features:

- **Co-Spaces**: Dedicated areas for various communal activities, promoting social interaction among residents and diverse user groups.
- **Park Areas**: Green spaces filled with native plants that enhance biodiversity and provide serene environments for recreation.
- **Emergency Shelters**: Strategically integrated within the design to ensure community safety and resilience.

The building's elevation adapts to environmental factors while thoughtfully landscaped surroundings reinforce the connection to nature, underscoring the importance of green infrastructure in urban development.

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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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