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Suspended Micropods Featuring Metal Corrugated Shells for Urban Living

Authors:
Kashyap Mandanka, Virti Shah, Arsh Laddha, Sanjana Mehta
Suspended Micropods Featuring Metal Corrugated Shells for Urban Living

Project in-detail

Suspended under metro bridges, these micropod units utilize an irregular dodecahedron geometry and metal corrugated shells to create efficient living spaces tailored for urban professionals.
5 key facts about this project
01
Suspended units utilize existing metro bridge infrastructure for housing.
02
Irregular dodecahedron shape maximizes natural light and living space.
03
Modular design allows for future expansion and customization.
04
Metal corrugated shell offers durability and ease of assembly.
05
Direct access to public transport enhances urban mobility for residents.

The "Up and Above" project offers a fresh take on urban living, situated in busy metropolitan India. The micropod housing units are designed to hang under existing metro bridges, cleverly using overlooked spaces to create new homes. This approach aims to address growing urban migration and crowded living conditions by providing compact and functional residences, particularly suited for young professionals.

Spatial Organization

In this design, space is used efficiently to cater to daily life. Each micropod is arranged to separate public activities from private ones. Workspaces are placed on the upper level to allow professionals a quiet area to focus. The sleeping quarters share this floor, ensuring privacy. Meanwhile, the ground floor serves as a space for cooking and community interaction. This thoughtful layout encourages both solitude and social engagement among residents.

Geometric Design

The micropods feature an irregular dodecahedron shape, which creates a spacious interior with larger angles that invite natural light in. This geometric choice enhances how the units feel, maximizing the usable space. The polygonal base plan also leaves room for future changes, allowing residents to adjust and expand their living arrangements as needed.

Materials and Construction

To maintain a strong and lightweight structure, the design uses steel and aluminum. These materials make construction straightforward and efficient. Detachable metal corrugated sheets add a layer of customization, enabling residents to personalize their homes according to their needs and preferences.

Integrated Transportation Access

Strategically placing the micropods under metro bridges provides easy access to public transport, which is vital for urban living. This positioning allows residents to move around the city without difficulty. Additionally, the design includes shock-absorbent suspension cables that help reduce vibrations from the busy environment. This feature contributes to a more comfortable living experience.

The design emphasizes community while offering practical solutions for urban life, highlighting details that support both functionality and quality of life.

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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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