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Textured Brick Facades with Integrated Courtyards for Communal Living Spaces

Author:
Benjamin Jing
Textured Brick Facades with Integrated Courtyards for Communal Living Spaces

Project in-detail

Textured brick facades and integrated courtyards create a dynamic communal living environment that encourages social interactions while honoring the historical context of Redfern.
5 key facts about this project
01
Textured brick facades reference the historical context of the site while providing durability.
02
Integrated courtyards foster social interaction and connect residents to outdoor spaces.
03
A flexible layout accommodates a pottery studio to promote craft and community building.
04
Repurposed materials enhance sustainability and reduce environmental impact.
05
A centralized circulation bridge links different levels, encouraging seamless movement throughout the space.

## Project Overview

Located in Redfern, Sydney, the Terraced House project is designed with a focus on fostering community engagement and enhancing the local cultural context. The architectural intent emphasizes the integration of social dynamics within residential design, drawing inspiration from the Victorian terrace houses common in the area. This modern interpretation seeks to honor historical elements while addressing contemporary needs through adaptive reuse of a former train repair warehouse, thereby creating a multifunctional community hub.

### Spatial Organization and Interaction

The layout comprises interconnected blocks that encircle a central courtyard, promoting communal activities and interactions among residents. The design includes dedicated areas for pottery studios and community gardens, facilitating social connection and engagement. Each level of the structure—the first floor, ground level, and lower ground—is strategically distributed and linked by a circulation bridge, which ensures smooth transitions and encourages spontaneous interactions.

### Material Selection and Sustainability

The material palette reflects a commitment to sustainability and contextual resonance. Exposed brick is employed for its historical significance and thermal properties, while concrete serves as a stable foundation for the expansive design. Large glass facades enhance interior spaces with natural light, fostering a visual connection to the outdoors. Complementary metal screens provide shading and privacy, striking a balance between contemporary aesthetics and functional needs. Timber elements introduce warmth and texture, further enhancing the tactile quality of the environment.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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