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Stackable Living With Recycled Plastics in Compact Urban Setting

Authors:
Juan Garcia, Valentina Herrera
Stackable Living With Recycled Plastics in Compact Urban Setting

Project in-detail

Constructed from recycled plastic bricks, this compact dwelling optimizes limited urban space in Manizales to provide sustainable and flexible living solutions.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with a brick system made from recycled plastic.
02
Designed to fit a compact footprint of 25 square meters.
03
Utilizes an open floor plan to eliminate traditional corridors.
04
Incorporates an additional 47 square meters for potential garden space.
05
Adapts to various functions, enhancing flexibility for urban living.

The Stackable Home is located in Manizales, Colombia, on a compact plot measuring 6 meters in width and 12 meters in length. The design responds directly to the housing challenges faced in urban environments where land is limited and construction costs are high. By adopting a modular concept, the Stackable Home focuses on flexibility and adaptability, allowing for a variety of uses within a small footprint while integrating well with the surrounding area.

Design Concept

Maximizing space is the main goal of the design. With a footprint of just 25 square meters, the layout allows for an additional 47 square meters of land, which can be used for gardens or extra modules. The interior avoids traditional corridors, creating an open flow among different areas. This approach makes the space feel larger and more connected, enhancing the overall living experience.

Spatial Configuration

Inside the Stackable Home, the sleeping area includes space for a bed and wardrobe, but it can also function as a studio. The social area is designed for both relaxation and work, flexible enough to meet various needs. The entrance hall serves as a dining space and can extend to an outdoor deck, merging indoor and outdoor living. Additionally, the service module combines the kitchen and bathroom, which streamlines utility access and optimizes the use of space.

Material Considerations

A notable feature of the Stackable Home is its use of a brick system made from recycled plastic. This choice addresses environmental concerns while keeping construction costs manageable. The innovative material enhances thermal and acoustic comfort, making the home suitable for everyday living while promoting sustainability.

Design Integration

Placing the Stackable Home in the geographical context of Manizales, which sits at an altitude of 2100 meters, reinforces its connection to the local landscape. The design provides a response to the need for affordable housing and showcases principles of sustainable living. The configuration of living spaces is complemented by large windows, allowing ample natural light to enter and creating a welcoming atmosphere within a compact area.

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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

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