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Step-Back Terraces and Vertical Greenery in a Community-Focused Design

Authors:
Tzen-ying Ling, William Chandra
Step-Back Terraces and Vertical Greenery in a Community-Focused Design

Project in-detail

With step-back terraces that promote natural light and vertical greenery enhancing biodiversity, the design integrates sustainable living into a community-focused residential complex.
5 key facts about this project
01
Step-back terraces maximize natural light and create usable green spaces.
02
Vertical greenery is integrated into the facade to enhance biodiversity.
03
The design allows for self-stacking, reducing construction complexity.
04
Rainwater collection systems support landscape irrigation.
05
Modular components offer flexibility for personalized interior layouts.

The Origo architectural system is set in an urban environment, designed to meet the needs of sustainable living. The main focus is a prototype that allows flexible unit arrangements, promoting various living situations while ensuring efficient use of the site. The overall design integrates nature into the built environment, aiming to enhance the well-being of future residents.

SUSTAINABLE SITE PLANNING

The Origo system takes a thoughtful approach to site planning, prioritizing the use of setbacks and open space. This creates a green belt that surrounds the building. The design incorporates a vertical green system on the facade, which supports local biodiversity and positively affects the surrounding microclimate.

FLEXIBLE UNIT CONFIGURATIONS

Flexibility is a core aspect of the Origo prototype. It enables multiple unit configurations and placements, catering to different lifestyle needs. The design allows for units to be extended laterally, which enhances sunlight and airflow, making for more comfortable living conditions.

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION

The project incorporates stacking capabilities, particularly for mid-rise buildings that reach heights of 5 to 6 stories. This self-stacking feature simplifies construction. For taller buildings, an open system strategy is employed. Step-back designs allow natural light to reach deeper into living areas, resulting in terraces that serve as rooftop gardens, offering green spaces for residents.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Terraces are crafted to create shaded outdoor areas that encourage interaction among residents. The design includes both horizontal and vertical circulation paths that improve connectivity within the building. This layout promotes social gatherings, fostering a sense of community in an urban landscape.

Interiors feature a modular design that includes versatile shelving, allowing spaces to be personalized. These elements can function as seating or storage, emphasizing the project's focus on user-friendly design while enhancing everyday living.

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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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