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Red Brick Facades and Flexible Living Modules Shaping Contemporary Communal Spaces

Author:
Nienke Borgman
Red Brick Facades and Flexible Living Modules Shaping Contemporary Communal Spaces

Project in-detail

Combining red brick facades with modular living units, the design fosters flexible privacy while nurturing community interaction within a residential environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Red brick facades integrate with green terraces for enhanced environmental quality.
02
Modular living units allow residents to reconfigure personal spaces as needs change.
03
Natural light is maximized through large glass areas, promoting energy efficiency.
04
The layout encourages communal engagement while maintaining distinct privacy zones.
05
Flexible partition systems adapt to varying social dynamics among residents.

The "Open Up! Private Living, Communal Life" project focuses on contemporary architectural design that integrates individual living spaces with communal areas. It aims to create a balanced environment for diverse residents, enhancing both privacy and social interaction. Drawing inspiration from historic Italian villages, this design synthesizes practical living with community engagement, ultimately redefining the approach to urban housing.

Concept and Design Framework

The project incorporates a multifacetedlayout to address various preferences for privacy and community life. By defining six different levels of privacy, the design accommodates a range of residents—from singles to families and seniors. This modular housing approach allows for adaptability, enabling residents to tailor their living conditions to their evolving needs. The use of public forums at the heart of the development facilitates communal activities and social gatherings, reinforcing the project's commitment to fostering community while respecting personal space.

Innovative Materiality and Structural Features

The architectural choices are significant in shaping the project’s character. The primary material used is red brick, which delivers both aesthetic warmth and structural durability. Large expanses of glass optimize natural light throughout the internal spaces, creating an airy ambiance conducive to comfort. The integration of a steel framework provides the necessary structural integrity while allowing for open floor plans.

Unique elements include modular housing units that can be customized through sliding partitions. This flexibility allows residents to adjust their living arrangements based on their current preferences for privacy or social interaction. The design also incorporates interconnected pathways that link private pods to communal areas, enhancing the flow between individual and collective spaces. Additionally, the implementation of green roofs and community gardens supports sustainability and improves the ecological quality of the environment.

Sustainability and Community Integration

Sustainability is a key component of the "Open Up!" project. Passive design strategies, such as solar access and natural ventilation, contribute to energy efficiency. The integration of green spaces not only enhances the visual appeal but also promotes biodiversity within the urban context. The attention to modular construction methods minimizes waste and allows for the adaptability of individual units over time.

The project's architectural approach fosters a sense of belonging and engagement among residents. By providing various communal spaces—such as forums for markets and events—the design encourages social bonds and interaction while ensuring that personal privacy remains prioritized. This thoughtful balance between private and shared living reflects a modern paradigm in urban architectural design that values both individuality and community connectivity.

Explore the architectural plans, sections, and designs to gain deeper insights into this project and its innovative approaches to communal living.

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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

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