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Self-Shading Structures With Recycled Rubber and Collaborative Green Spaces in Urban Senior Housing

Authors:
Nathan Vincent Ma, Salonee Ghosh
Self-Shading Structures With Recycled Rubber and Collaborative Green Spaces in Urban Senior Housing

Project in-detail

Recycled rubber flooring, modular housing units, and integrated bioswales create an accessible and climate-resilient environment aimed at fostering intergenerational connections within urban senior living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Recycled rubber flooring enhances safety while reducing environmental impact.
02
Bioswales integrated into the design manage stormwater and create green recreational spaces.
03
Modular housing units promote flexibility and accommodate changing resident needs.
04
Shared gardens foster community interaction and provide therapeutic green areas.
05
Self-shading structures minimize energy consumption and improve indoor comfort.

### Overview

Located in Coney Island, New York, the K to Grey project addresses the issue of social isolation among the elderly, a demographic that comprises approximately 25% of the local population. The initiative aims to foster intergenerational engagement by incorporating senior housing within active community settings. The design emphasizes a pedestrian-centric loop that enhances accessibility and connectivity, aimed at mitigating both social and environmental challenges specific to the area.

### Spatial Organization

The design features "The Loop," a network of enclosed pathways that connects essential retail, services, and communal spaces. This approach facilitates safe navigation for seniors, encouraging social interactions and reducing barriers often encountered by elderly residents. Modular housing clusters, complemented by communal living areas and shared gardens, promote community ownership and interaction vital for residents' emotional well-being. Additionally, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) adjacent to these clusters allow families to remain close to their elderly relatives while maintaining individual independence, thus reinforcing familial connections within the community.

### Materiality and Sustainability

A range of sustainable materials has been selected for the project to enhance both functionality and environmental resilience. Recycled rubber chips are utilized for flooring in communal areas to ensure safety and reduce the risk of falls, while kiln-dried aggregate combined with a liquid binder creates durable surfaces suited to varying weather conditions. The integration of green corridors featuring natural vegetation is designed to provide visual and mental relief and to support local biodiversity. Furthermore, self-shading structures and bioswales are incorporated to manage stormwater effectively; this approach not only mitigates flooding risks but also creates multifunctional outdoor spaces for community engagement.

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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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