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Repurposed Sea Containers for Affordable Urban Living

Author:
Marta Zeifert
Repurposed Sea Containers for Affordable Urban Living

Project in-detail

Utilizing repurposed sea containers, the design transforms urban spaces in Greater Melbourne into adaptable, affordable housing options that meet diverse community needs.
5 key facts about this project
01
Repurposing shipping containers maximizes sustainable urban living.
02
Flexible modular layouts cater to diverse household sizes.
03
Strategic placement enhances community integration and connectivity.
04
Utilizes local sites, including rooftops and underutilized land.
05
Designed with a focus on efficient assembly and reduced construction time.

The Modular Housing - Sea Container Reviving project addresses the urgent need for affordable living solutions in Greater Melbourne. It uses shipping containers as the main building blocks to create functional homes. This approach not only capitalizes on the availability of containers in a port city but also offers a practical way to respond to housing demands. The design emphasizes modularity, allowing for various types of units that can cater to different community needs.

Site Context and Concept

Located in a bustling urban area, the project makes use of underutilized spaces across Greater Melbourne. It places modular housing units on empty lots, rooftops, and even in less conventional areas like underneath bridges or along riversides. By doing this, developers aim to increase housing density while reconnecting with the city’s communities. Using shipping containers reflects both a sustainable practice and a practical approach to solving the housing crisis.

Adaptive Design Typologies

The housing designs include several different types, such as The Block, Deck-access Block, The Tower, Terraced Houses, Atrial Houses, and Single House. Each design caters to a specific context and maximizes the use of available space. The variety helps meet diverse living needs while ensuring efficiency in construction and function. The careful arrangements promote a sense of community among residents, which is important in urban settings.

Sustainability and Materials

The focus on shipping containers highlights a commitment to sustainability. While specific materials beyond the containers are not detailed, repurposing industrial elements speaks to a broader goal of minimizing waste. This strategy transforms resources that would otherwise be discarded into useful homes, lowering environmental impact. The containers also provide durable structures, suitable for urban living.

Design Details

The overall design prioritizes not just practicality but also comfort and aesthetic appeal. Each unit is designed to allow plenty of natural light and ventilation, enhancing the living environment. The arrangement of the containers results in an interesting visual experience, blending industrial elements with modern residential spaces. This thoughtful design highlights the potential for creating pleasant living conditions within the framework of a busy city like Greater Melbourne.

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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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