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Terraced Living in Melbourne with Resident-Centric Entrances and Community Connectivity

Author:
Magdalena Witek
Terraced Living in Melbourne with Resident-Centric Entrances and Community Connectivity

Project in-detail

With personal entrances and expansive green terraces, the design emphasizes resident engagement and adaptability, catering to the diverse needs of community living in Melbourne.
5 key facts about this project
01
Unique gallery system connects all units while preserving privacy.
02
Generous green terraces extend living areas for outdoor usage.
03
Dedicated service ground floor enhances neighborhood interaction.
04
Flexibility in design allows expansion based on user needs.
05
Early user participation shapes spaces according to community preferences.

The multi-family residential design is located in Melbourne, a city known for its steady growth and urban development. It strives to improve livability through a thoughtful layout that prioritizes individual experiences. Each unit has its own entrance, allowing residents a sense of privacy and ownership. Large green terraces enhance the living space, creating opportunities for outdoor activities and fostering a connection among neighbors.

Design Concept

The design incorporates a gallery system that connects the individual flats. These galleries serve as pathways that encourage interactions between residents while still maintaining quiet personal spaces. They help bridge the gap between the public street and private homes, allowing for a smooth transition from communal areas to individual living environments. Each entry is designed to offer a welcoming atmosphere.

Functional Aspects

In addition to personal and shared spaces, the building features a service ground floor aimed at activating the street and promoting the neighborhood’s vibrancy. This ground level encourages residents to engage actively with the surrounding urban environment. The building's façade is designed to unify its appearance while offering shade from the sun, which is important in a city that experiences a lot of sunshine throughout the year.

Flexibility and User Participation

Flexibility is a key element of the design, allowing it to meet the diverse needs of various residents, including singles and families. Early involvement of future residents in the design process ensures that the spaces serve their needs effectively. This community-focused approach highlights the use of prefabrication and local materials, which contribute to sustainable construction practices and minimize environmental impact.

The design culminates in a unique roofline that not only adds visual interest but also creates outdoor areas at different heights. This feature allows residents to enjoy their surroundings while creating varied experiences in the shared space above the building.

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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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