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Sustainable Living Through Green Roofs and Prefabricated Concrete Panels

Authors:
Nadi Miri, Shiva Monshipouri
Sustainable Living Through Green Roofs and Prefabricated Concrete Panels

Project in-detail

Incorporating green roofs and prefabricated concrete panels, the design prioritizes sustainability and adaptability, offering affordable co-living spaces in the heart of San Francisco.
5 key facts about this project
01
Green roofs integrate biodiversity and stormwater management into the design.
02
Co-living units are configured for flexible use, accommodating changing resident needs.
03
Cross-laminated timber enhances energy efficiency and construction speed.
04
Shared amenities foster community interaction and support social connections.
05
Retrofitting existing buildings helps maximize urban resources and minimize waste.

The design focuses on creating a community-oriented living space in San Francisco, addressing pressing housing needs within the city. The aim is to offer affordable housing options while encouraging social connections among residents. The concept, "Live Together Apart," highlights a balance between personal living areas and shared communal spaces, catering to a diverse range of people, including young professionals, families, and seniors.

Flexible Living Arrangements

Living spaces are organized as co-living units that provide single-room occupancy within shared buildings. Each unit is equipped with communal amenities such as kitchens, living rooms, and laundry facilities. This setup allows residents to interact while still enjoying their privacy. The approach directly responds to the demand for affordable housing and supports a lifestyle that promotes community engagement.

Adaptability and Sustainability

Adaptability is a key feature. Spaces are designed to change with the needs of residents over time. These units can accommodate home offices and provide acoustically separated areas that fit modern living requirements. Sustainability is also important in the design, achieved through the use of green roofs that help manage stormwater runoff, encourage biodiversity, and offer shared recreational spaces for residents.

Material Utilization and Construction Methods

The design makes use of pre-fabricated construction techniques, which streamline the building process and minimize waste. Structural concrete insulated panels are used for all residential units, ensuring thermal efficiency and providing strong performance, especially in seismic areas. Cross laminated timber is chosen for amenity spaces, recognized for its energy efficiency and solid structural capacity.

Shared outdoor areas, including community gardens and recreational zones, contribute to a pleasant living environment. These spaces enhance both the community aspect and the urban surroundings, promoting a sense of harmony within city 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
competition now

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