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Sedum Roofed Modular Units Enhancing Urban Living in London

Authors:
Alexander Herrera rojas, Katarzyna Ziolkowska
Sedum Roofed Modular Units Enhancing Urban Living in London

Project in-detail

Constructed with prefabricated modules and topped with a sedum roof, these residential units integrate green design with urban living in London to create accessible and sustainable housing solutions.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular units designed for quick assembly and relocation.
02
Sedum roofs incorporated for improved insulation and biodiversity.
03
Balcony and winter garden elements enhance outdoor living.
04
Ground-level commercial space preserved alongside residential units.
05
Public pathways established to promote community interaction.

The design addresses London’s housing shortage with a modular approach that seeks to improve affordability and livability across different urban settings. It is developed in several locations, including mixed-use areas, residential neighborhoods, and along the river. The focus is on providing efficient housing solutions that cater to a variety of socio-economic groups while promoting sustainable practices.

Mixed-Use Context at 1 King's Mall

In the mixed-use area of 1 King's Mall, prefabricated modules are placed above an existing shopping center. This design uses the space efficiently, allowing for ground-level commercial activities to remain while introducing necessary residential areas. The central courtyard serves as an important amenity, encouraging social interaction among residents. This layout fosters connectivity, making it easier for people to access public transport and local services.

Residential Context

In a residential neighborhood, the project replaces an old office building near schools and townhouses with modular units. These new units are designed to connect visually and physically to the surrounding green spaces. Balconies and winter gardens enhance the living experience, while the building’s façade features a push-pull design that integrates outdoor space into home life, aligning with the architectural style of the area.

Riverside Context

Along the riverside, the plan revitalizes a residential estate by reorganizing its layout. The modular arrangement creates a public pathway that runs alongside the river, offering spaces for recreation while protecting existing green areas. This design encourages community use and engagement, as it links housing with the nearby natural environment, enhancing the overall appeal of the location.

The project incorporates materials that support its goals of efficiency and sustainability. External walls include insulation to improve energy performance, while the warm roof features an extensive sedum layer to promote green space. Steel substructures provide the necessary stability for modular designs, complemented by double-glazed full-height windows and doors that maximize natural light and thermal comfort. Glass balustrades on terraces enhance views, connecting indoor living to the outdoor setting while maintaining safety and aesthetics.

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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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