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Timber Cladding and Precast Concrete Integration for Sustainable Community Housing

Authors:
Oleksandr Zelinskyi, Chung-yao Chen, Sebastiano Carboni, Derbel Mohamed Rami
Timber Cladding and Precast Concrete Integration for Sustainable Community Housing

Project in-detail

Incorporating timber cladding and durable precast concrete, the design revitalizes Northern Saltivka by providing adaptable and sustainable housing solutions that address community needs.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates modular design for flexible living adaptations over time.
02
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced weather resistance and aesthetic appeal.
03
Features integrated emergency shelters within residential units for community support.
04
Prioritizes natural light with large glass panels, promoting a brighter living environment.
05
Includes green areas for community gardens, fostering urban agriculture and biodiversity.

### Overview

Located in Northern Saltivka, Kharkiv, Ukraine, the project addresses the housing challenges prevalent in an area characterized by late Soviet-era panel architecture. The initiative aims to revitalize the urban landscape through a modular approach that enhances both private living conditions and communal spaces, fostering resilience within the community.

### Modular Adaptability and Community Integration

The design focuses on a modular system that retrofits existing structures to improve functionality and living standards. By adopting a strategy that minimizes ecological impact, the project aims to promote sustainability. The incorporation of various materials, including precast concrete panels, steel beams, and glass elements, ensures structural integrity while creating an inviting atmosphere. Timber cladding is utilized to define communal and private areas, providing warmth and a sense of place.

### Public Engagement and Accessibility

In addition to housing units, the design emphasizes multifunctional public spaces that encourage community interaction. Key features include strategically positioned community shelters that serve both as emergency accommodations and social hubs, along with green areas that support urban agriculture. Accessibility is a primary concern, with design elements such as wide ramps and natural light-enhanced spaces to ensure usability for all citizens, including individuals with disabilities. By integrating resilience-oriented features, the project prepares the community for potential emergencies while fostering an adaptive environment that evolves with residents' needs.

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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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