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Suspended Living Units Enhanced by Local Sandstone and Green Roofs Beneath Urban Bridges

Author:
Jill Ries
Suspended Living Units Enhanced by Local Sandstone and Green Roofs Beneath Urban Bridges

Project in-detail

Suspended residential units crafted from local sandstone and integrated with green roofs redefine urban living by transforming the often-overlooked spaces beneath bridges into functional community spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Suspended living units utilize the underside of bridges to create innovative housing solutions.
02
Integration of local sandstone enhances aesthetic coherence with the urban environment.
03
Green roofs promote biodiversity and provide communal outdoor spaces for residents.
04
Large windows in units maximize natural light and views while maintaining privacy.
05
Design fosters connectivity to surrounding neighborhoods through accessible pedestrian pathways.

### Overview and Concept

Located in Luxembourg City, the project addresses the pressing housing crisis by integrating residential units beneath bridge structures. This approach maximizes underutilized urban spaces, transforming them into functional living environments. The initiative aims to increase housing availability while simultaneously improving the aesthetic and functional aspects of existing urban infrastructure, aligning with the city's needs for innovative housing solutions.

### Spatial Strategy and Community Integration

The design features compact residential units arranged to optimize natural light through large windows and balconies, enhancing the indoor-outdoor relationship. Ground and first-floor layouts thoughtfully separate sleeping and communal areas, fostering a balance between privacy and social interaction. Shared green spaces are incorporated to promote community engagement, providing residents with communal areas that facilitate interaction while enhancing ecological sustainability through green roofs and terraces.

The project strategically includes ramps that connect to the upper deck of the bridge, ensuring easy pedestrian access to surrounding parks and residential areas. This integration reinforces the relationship between the built environment and the natural landscape, encouraging a re-evaluation of underdeveloped land around urban infrastructure.

### Materiality and Aesthetic Considerations

Local sandstone serves as the primary facade material, establishing visual continuity with the surrounding environment while reinforcing regional identity. The extensive use of glass in the residential units not only creates expansive views but also contributes to a sense of spaciousness within confined areas. Structural elements utilize steel and concrete, ensuring that the design maintains structural integrity while reflecting contemporary architectural principles.

The careful selection of materials emphasizes cultural sensitivity and contextuality, creating an architectural language that resonates with Luxembourg's historical and aesthetic attributes. Design elements prioritize functionality without compromising aesthetic appeal, balancing utility and beauty throughout the living spaces.

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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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