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Steel Frame Community Units With Outdoor Access in Urban Environments

Author:
Samantha Hill
Steel Frame Community Units With Outdoor Access in Urban Environments

Project in-detail

Stacked steel frame units with direct outdoor access redefine urban living in Downtown Los Angeles by integrating residential and communal spaces within a versatile mixed-use environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Prefabricated units are constructed off-site for efficient assembly.
02
Units allow direct outdoor access, promoting interaction with surroundings.
03
Stacked design maximizes vertical space for better land use.
04
A central circulation core enhances accessibility for all occupants.
05
Steel frame structure supports a versatile mixed-use environment.

The design features a collection of prefabricated units situated in Downtown Los Angeles, specifically within the Westlake Neighborhood. The project aims to redefine urban living by integrating residential, commercial, and communal spaces into a cohesive framework. It focuses on modular design, promoting efficiency while creating vibrant living environments that encourage community interaction.

Design Concept

The concept revolves around a stacked layout that utilizes vertical space effectively. This arrangement includes both single-story and double-story units, designed to cater to a variety of residential and commercial uses. Each unit allows for direct outdoor access, fostering a connection between living spaces and the surrounding environment.

Circulation and Accessibility

A key element of the design is the efficient circulation system. A central vertical core works in tandem with horizontal exterior corridors, making movement throughout the structure straightforward. This configuration enhances accessibility for all residents and visitors. Stacking the units not only optimizes the use of land but also promotes social connections among occupants, reinforcing a sense of community.

Structural System

The design incorporates a steel frame structure, chosen for its strength and versatility. Prefabricated units enable quicker construction through assembly on-site rather than traditional methods. This choice of materials aligns with modern architectural practices, allowing for an adaptable solution that meets the demands of mixed-use spaces.

Integration of Outdoor Spaces

The project emphasizes outdoor areas, providing residents with easy access to communal spaces. These outdoor features enhance the living experience, offering opportunities for relaxation and socializing. Careful planning of the units and outdoor spaces creates a harmonious environment where private and communal life can coexist.

Landscaped elements throughout the project connect the units to nature, inviting residents to enjoy the outdoors and interact with their surroundings. The thoughtful arrangement of spaces fosters a balance between urban living and a connection to nature.

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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
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