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Steel-Integrated Green Spaces for Affordable Urban Living

Authors:
Carlota De haan, Amanda Lagerkvist, Johanna Schweitz fåhraeus, Amir Ebrahimian
Steel-Integrated Green Spaces for Affordable Urban Living

Project in-detail

Utilizing prefabricated steel units and integrated green spaces, the design addresses Berlin's housing crisis by providing affordable, temporary living solutions that foster community engagement in urban settings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Affordable housing utilizing prefabricated steel units for efficient assembly.
02
Community-led management model empowers residents to shape living spaces.
03
Public ground floors integrate residential and economic functions.
04
Rooftop park enhances urban biodiversity and resident well-being.
05
Design aimed at reclaiming city center space for diverse populations.

ProBiosis is an initiative designed to address the housing crisis in Berlin, focusing on affordable and temporary living options. The project responds to the rapid increase in rents and stagnant income levels, which have left many residents struggling to find adequate housing. The design promotes community interaction and inclusivity. By combining social, urban, and political considerations, ProBiosis seeks to create adaptable spaces that foster resilience and connection among residents within the city.

Design Concept

The core idea behind ProBiosis is to encourage architectural inclusivity through shared spaces. These areas vary from semi-private to public, allowing residents to interact and build community ties. The design prioritizes affordable living arrangements. It aims to reduce the gap between the rising costs of living and the limited income growth many are experiencing.

Materials and Construction

ProBiosis incorporates self-bearing and insulated units made from steel, constructed in local factories. This method simplifies the building process while also lowering costs. The use of prefabricated components allows for quicker assembly of housing units, making it a practical solution to the urgent demand for housing in busy urban areas.

Urban Integration

The design includes a public ground floor that serves multiple functions, blending residential and economic activities. This feature helps form resilient communities by ensuring that diverse groups, especially those with low or medium incomes, can access urban spaces. The approach actively reclaims parts of the city, enhancing its overall activity and livability.

Sustainability and Green Spaces

An important element of ProBiosis is the inclusion of green spaces, like a rooftop park, which aim to improve the quality of life for residents. These areas provide not only recreational opportunities but also promote biodiversity within the urban environment. By integrating nature into the built form, ProBiosis aspires to encourage healthier living for all its residents while highlighting the connection between urban life and ecological awareness.

ProBiosis presents a thoughtful response to the challenges of affordable housing in Berlin. Its design focuses on creating adaptable living units that fit well into the city, reflecting a commitment to community and sustainability.

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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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