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Stacking Timber Units Emphasizing Outdoor Spaces and Community Interaction

Author:
Dana Shihabeddin
Stacking Timber Units Emphasizing Outdoor Spaces and Community Interaction

Project in-detail

Utilizing a stacking boxes approach, the design incorporates wood rainscreen and brick veneer materials to create a community-centered multi-family dwelling that emphasizes private outdoor spaces and communal interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes a stacking boxes approach to optimize space efficiency.
02
Incorporates wood rainscreen and brick veneer for a modern aesthetic.
03
Features private outdoor spaces for each unit, enhancing livability.
04
Includes a public plaza to foster community interaction.
05
Designed to maximize natural light through strategic unit orientation.

The design presents a multi-family dwelling located in a bustling urban area, responding to the critical need for affordable housing. The overall concept centers around pre-fabricated Cross-laminated Timber (CLT), chosen for its efficiency and sustainability. The building features a stacking boxes approach, allowing for flexible unit sizes and optimizing available space in a compact environment.

Spatial Configuration

The layout includes a range of residential options, such as three-bedroom, two-bedroom, and one-bedroom units. This variety accommodates different household types, from larger families to individuals or couples looking for smaller spaces. The stacking boxes design maximizes usable areas, enhancing livability while providing functional spaces for everyday activities.

Community Engagement

Designing communal spaces is a key element, fostering interaction among residents. A public plaza serves as an accessible open area, encouraging socializing and connections. Retail spaces included within the complex provide convenience, making it easier for residents to access services and amenities without needing to leave the proximity of their homes.

Natural Elements

The project prioritizes outdoor spaces by incorporating private areas for each unit. These spaces promote outdoor living and help create a balance between built and natural environments. The design also facilitates ample natural light and ventilation through careful orientation, improving the overall atmosphere within the living spaces.

Material Considerations

The choice of materials includes wood rainscreen siding, brick veneer siding, glass block, and anodized aluminum framing. These materials not only offer a contemporary appearance but also ensure durability and low maintenance. Each element is selected to support the overall vision of a modern, functional living environment.

Attention to both shared and private spaces results in a living environment that is both practical and inviting. The design ultimately reflects an understanding of urban life, creating comfortable homes within the complexities of a city.

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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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