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Reinforced Concrete Framework and Vertical Living in Urban Housing

Authors:
YULIIA VARHARAKI, VIKTORIIA SHLEKHTENKO, ANASTASIIA TARASOVA
Reinforced Concrete Framework and Vertical Living in Urban Housing

Project in-detail

With a reinforced concrete framework designed to withstand environmental challenges, this urban housing solution integrates vertical living with multifunctional spaces, meeting the growing demand for affordable residences in Ma On Shan.
5 key facts about this project
01
Reinforced concrete framework designed to endure seismic activity and high wind gusts.
02
Each residential floor features three compact apartments maximizing space efficiency.
03
Incorporates a vertical lift capable of accommodating 1,250 kg for improved accessibility.
04
Multifunctional furniture allows residents to optimize their limited living areas.
05
Designed with communal spaces to foster interaction among residents in the urban setting.

The design focuses on affordable social housing in Ma On Shan, Hong Kong. It addresses the urgent need for livable spaces in a densely populated urban area. The overall concept prioritizes functionality and efficiency while ensuring that essential amenities are integrated into the living units.

Structural Organization

The structure consists of 40 floors above ground, reaching a height of 105 meters. Each residential level features three apartments, with two measuring 15.7 square meters and one at 14.6 square meters. This layout is designed to make the best use of available space, creating practical living environments for urban residents. The orientation of the building allows for natural light and ventilation, contributing to the comfort of the inhabitants.

Material and Construction

For the construction, a reinforced concrete skeleton with metal cores is used. This combination provides the necessary stability required for high-rise buildings. Safety is a key consideration, especially in an area that can experience seismic activity and tropical storms. The design incorporates features to withstand wind gusts of up to 120 kilometers per hour, illustrating the importance of resilience in the building's design.

Amenities and Accessibility

Each apartment includes essential features such as kitchen areas and washrooms. Multifunctional furniture is used to optimize the limited space, ensuring that residents can fully utilize their living areas. An efficient vertical lift has a capacity of 1250 kilograms, facilitating movement between floors. Communal areas are incorporated into the design, promoting interaction among residents and creating opportunities for community engagement.

Economic Viability

The budget for construction is estimated at $15.2 million, with an expected market value of $42.9 million. This framework indicates potential profitability while addressing critical housing needs. The economic aspects of the design show careful planning that aligns with sustainability goals in urban development.



The approach to using vertical space helps deliver an efficient housing solution while also making an impact on the urban landscape. It provides a modern living option that meets the requirements of 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

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