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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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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.

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Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

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