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Rooftop Living Through Modular Micro-Units and Community Greenery

Authors:
Diego Ramirez, Ksenia Dyusembaeva
Rooftop Living Through Modular Micro-Units and Community Greenery
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In Hong Kong, the scarcity of developable land and rising property prices have intensified the need for alternative housing strategies. The largely unused rooftops of high-rise buildings present an opportunity to introduce new residential spaces without expanding the city’s footprint.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes underused rooftops for compact residential units.
02
Integrates small-scale productive activities within living spaces.
03
Features a modular housing system for flexible configurations.
04
Incorporates green roofs to enhance biodiversity and ecology.
05
Prioritizes minimal disruption during installation on existing buildings.

Rooftoppers: Micro Productive Housing responds to the challenges of housing affordability and land scarcity in Hong Kong by utilizing the underused rooftops of existing high-rise buildings. The scheme reconceives these elevated spaces as sites for compact residential units that integrate opportunities for small-scale productive activities. The approach addresses spatial constraints while introducing adaptable housing models that can be implemented within the city’s dense vertical fabric.

Spatial Organization and Modularity
The design is structured around a modular housing system that begins with a standard base unit. These units can be subdivided into micro-dwellings or combined to accommodate different household configurations. Shared spaces are incorporated to support social interaction, while the arrangement of units ensures a balance between privacy and communal engagement. Circulation is facilitated through a vertical core containing staircases and elevators, with layouts designed to maximize daylight access and natural ventilation.

Sustainability and Green Integration
Incorporating green roofs and planting areas, the design supports biodiversity and introduces ecological value into the high-rise environment. These elements are intended to improve environmental performance while offering residents accessible outdoor spaces. Material and construction strategies prioritize adaptability, enabling the system to be installed with minimal disruption to the existing building structure. The placement and orientation of units are calibrated to optimize environmental comfort, integrating functional housing with ecological considerations.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

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100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
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