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Recycled Wood Facades and Front Yards in Affordable Urban Housing

Author:
Wael El gendy
Recycled Wood Facades and Front Yards in Affordable Urban Housing

Project in-detail

With recycled wood facades and integrated front yards, this development redefines affordable housing in San Francisco by promoting community engagement and sustainable living through thoughtfully designed residential units.
5 key facts about this project
01
Each residential unit features a covered front yard for personal vegetation and decoration.
02
The building's design incorporates stepped green platforms for outdoor community spaces.
03
Large window openings enhance natural light and ventilation in every unit.
04
Sliding panels create Juliette balconies that connect indoor and outdoor living.
05
A spiraling walkway, "The Trail," provides accessible navigation across different building levels.

"The Hill" is an affordable housing development located in San Francisco. Its design prioritizes community interaction and access to public spaces while addressing the urgent need for housing. The project aims to foster a sense of belonging among residents and create an environment that encourages social connections.

Community Integration

The design includes residential units, each featuring a covered front yard where residents can add plants and decorations. This element brings a sense of individuality to the living spaces. The building's shape is influenced by the hills in San Francisco, highlighting the connection between architecture and the natural landscape. This connection helps reinforce community ties and provides a familiar setting for residents.

Sustainability and Environmental Considerations

Sustainability is a key focus of the design. The outdoor areas feature stepped green platforms that allow for gardens and gathering spaces. These features help to improve air quality and reduce heat in the urban environment. The landscaping enhances the overall look of the project and provides places for residents to engage in outdoor activities together.

Spatial Dynamics and Accessibility

Natural light and fresh air are essential for the living spaces. Large windows in each unit ensure these qualities, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere. Sliding panels that open into balconies further enhance the connection to the outdoors. A spiral walkway, known as "The Trail," connects different levels of the building. This route is designed to be accessible for everyone, making it easy for residents and visitors to navigate.

Amenities and Support Services

The ground floor is dedicated to important amenities for the community. This area includes compact living units referred to as "The Pods" and essential services like a Social Services office and laundry facilities. These resources are in place to support residents and encourage social interaction. By providing these amenities, the design helps create a stronger community among the residents.

The design features earth tones and natural textures, allowing the building to blend into the surrounding environment. This choice creates a welcoming atmosphere that invites personal expression while maintaining a coherent community identity. Each aspect of the project aims to foster connection, engagement, and quality of life for its residents.

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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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