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Terraced Living Spaces with Spruce and Pine in a Sustainable Community Design

Authors:
Michelangelo Mariech, Ilaria Battistotti, Denis Sempreboni
Terraced Living Spaces with Spruce and Pine in a Sustainable Community Design

Project in-detail

Constructed with a spruce wood structure and supported by terraced steps, the sustainable community integrates flexible living spaces and a multifunctional covered square to enhance social interaction and ecological responsibility.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with a spruce wood structure, enhancing sustainability.
02
Incorporates terraced steps to facilitate accessibility and movement.
03
Features a covered square that functions as a water collection point.
04
Offers a diverse range of flexible living spaces suited for different lifestyles.
05
Utilizes pine wood pathways that complement the natural environment.

Metabolic Forest presents a new way to approach sustainable urban living. Located in a setting that requires a thoughtful and ecological mindset, the project strives to combine natural spaces with comfortable living. The design aims to lower emissions while ensuring a high standard of comfort for its residents. Social interaction and a sense of community are prioritized, making it a place where people can connect with each other and with their environment.

Design Concept

The foundation of the design rests on sustainability, encompassing three main ideas: growth, protection, and connection. Growth is seen in the variety of living spaces that adapt to different lifestyles. Protection focuses on shielding residents from environmental challenges such as sun, wind, pollution, and noise. Connection integrates the building with the surrounding urban landscape, promoting fluid movement through the space and encouraging social interaction.

Site Plan and Layout

A well-thought-out site plan features essential components like underground parking, terraced steps, a covered square, and public gardens with pathways. Together, these elements promote accessibility and interaction among residents, creating a lively atmosphere. The layout is designed to balance private living with communal areas, allowing for both solitude and social engagement.

Materiality

Materials chosen for the project include a spruce wood structure and pine wood pathways, supporting the overall sustainability goals. A concrete foundation provides the necessary stability and strength while facilitating effective internal water disposal systems. These materials do not just serve practical purposes; they also contribute to a natural aesthetic that complements the environment.

Architectural Features

The covered square stands out as a significant feature, serving as both a gathering place and a water dispenser. This double function allows for the collection and recycling of water used for irrigation, enhancing sustainability efforts. The light steel structure allows for connections between different levels, with a central elevator improving accessibility throughout the building. A range of living options, from duplex units to smaller flats, caters to varied needs, promoting inclusivity among residents.

Metabolic Forest exemplifies a thoughtful blend of community-focused spaces and residential living. The thoughtful integration of features and ecological design creates an inviting environment. The covered square as a central hub encourages residents to engage, building connections that enrich the community.

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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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