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Sustainable Micro-Living Units Enhanced by Quadcore Panels and Integrated Community Spaces

Author:
Samuel Jon Westbrook Weston
Sustainable Micro-Living Units Enhanced by Quadcore Panels and Integrated Community Spaces

Project in-detail

Employing Quadcore panels for superior insulation and integrating a community-oriented ground floor, these micro-living units redefine urban housing solutions in the heart of Berlin.
5 key facts about this project
01
Located in Berlin, the project repurposes urban parking spaces into functional micro-living units.
02
The design incorporates Quadcore panels for enhanced energy efficiency and thermal performance.
03
Modular construction allows for vertical stacking, optimizing limited urban footprint.
04
Ground floor space is dedicated to community use, fostering social interaction among residents.
05
Innovative rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling systems contribute to sustainability.

### Project Overview

Located in Berlin, the project addresses the housing shortage intensified by ineffective urban parking. With over 1.2 million registered vehicles and a demand for approximately 750,000 apartments, the initiative proposes micro-living solutions that incorporate communal spaces, commercial functions, and greenery within the urban fabric. The design focuses on repurposing excess parking areas into livable units, fostering a shift in urban planning that prioritizes residential needs over vehicular space.

### Spatial Strategy and Community Integration

The architectural design features a modular structure with a distinctive façade that engages the streetscape while accommodating vertical expansion for additional living units. The ground floor is designed as a flexible community space, intended to function as a café or bar, thereby promoting social interactions and increasing pedestrian activity in the area. The thoughtfully arranged micro-units, each approximately 25 m², include designated areas for sleeping, living, and workspace, effectively responding to the modern demand for multifunctional living environments.

### Sustainable Material Selection and Practices

A commitment to sustainability is evident in the choice of construction materials and systems. The exterior is composed of Kingspan Quadcore panels to enhance insulation and energy efficiency. Anodized aluminum sunshades and triple-glazed windows further contribute to the building's thermal performance. Additionally, the design incorporates a composting toilet system and rainwater harvesting technologies, reinforcing an ecological approach. Photovoltaic panels on the rooftop generate renewable energy, while greywater recycling systems support efficient water use, collectively advancing the project's sustainability objectives.

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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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