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Repurposed Tennis Courts and Flexible Layouts Foster Community Living

Authors:
Audrey leonore Lopez, Elliot Dunton, Bob Mcdougall, Thom McLaughlin
Repurposed Tennis Courts and Flexible Layouts Foster Community Living

Project in-detail

Repurposing underutilized tennis courts into flexible residential units, the design prioritizes community integration and adaptive living arrangements to address Melbourne's housing needs.
5 key facts about this project
01
Repurposes underutilized tennis courts into multi-family residences.
02
Promotes communal living through shared amenities like co-working spaces and kitchens.
03
Utilizes a fixed service core for flexible unit configurations.
04
Integrates principles of passive design for energy efficiency.
05
Focuses on increasing housing density in established suburban areas.

The design aims to address Melbourne’s housing affordability issue by introducing innovative infill housing solutions in the city’s middle suburbs. Located in areas with underused spaces like tennis courts and large backyards, the project intends to transform these underutilized zones into multi-family residences. The overall design concept emphasizes increasing the number of housing units while fostering community and encouraging interaction among a range of residents, from families to singles and students.

Infill Housing Potential

Maximizing the use of spare suburban spaces is at the heart of the design. By looking at tennis courts and big private yards as opportunities for new homes, it seeks to tackle housing shortages head-on. The approach questions common assumptions about property value by illustrating how these areas can not only provide homes but also contribute to community life.

Flexible Spatial Configurations

An important aspect of the design is flexibility in layout. Residential units are built around a fixed service core, allowing for different configurations that can adapt to the changing needs of residents. This modular style creates living spaces that can adjust over time, accommodating various lifestyles or family sizes, thus promoting a sustainable form of urban development.

Community Engagement Spaces

Shared areas play a significant role in the design, encouraging social connections among residents. With features such as co-working spaces, playgrounds, communal kitchens, and workshops, the layout aims to support interaction and a sense of community. These amenities are more than just facilities; they are spaces where people can come together, fostering a supportive environment for diverse residents.

Sustainability and Resource Optimization

While specific materials are not listed, the design reflects a commitment to principles of energy efficiency and low-impact living. By incorporating passive housing techniques, it aims to reduce long-term operational costs and environmental effects. Proposing an increase in housing density within established neighborhoods promotes better use of resources and infrastructure, aligning with current goals for more responsible urban growth.

The design thoughtfully brings together elements of private living and community interaction. It captures the idea of creating homes that are not only functional but also enrich the urban experience. The careful arrangement of these spaces reflects an understanding of the evolving needs of communities.

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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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