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Timber Community Housing With Dynamic Floorplate Cutouts

Authors:
Xintong Miao, Beijia Chen, Yuan Meng
Timber Community Housing With Dynamic Floorplate Cutouts

Project in-detail

Cross-laminated timber forms the backbone of a modular housing development that integrates dynamic floorplate cutouts to enhance community interaction and outdoor access in an urban Toronto setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cross-laminated timber is utilized for both structure and aesthetic, enhancing sustainability.
02
Dynamic floorplate cutouts provide private outdoor terraces and encourage natural light.
03
Five distinct unit types cater to a diverse range of residents, fostering community.
04
The grid-based structural system allows for flexible unit layouts and efficient construction.
05
Strategic landscaping integrates the building with the surrounding urban environment.

Ripple Housing is situated at 15 Wellesley St E in Toronto, placed within a lively area filled with educational institutions, such as the University of Toronto. The development responds to the increasing need for affordable housing in a city known for its youthful population. The design focuses on modularity, offering a flexible range of unit types that can accommodate individuals, families, and student groups alike.

Architectural Concept

The design adopts a modular approach, allowing efficient use of space while encouraging community interaction. By converting a parking lot into a residential neighborhood, Ripple Housing aims to create a sense of belonging among residents. The arrangement of units is open and connected, promoting social engagement within the environment.

Spatial Organization

Attention has been paid to the layout of the housing units. Floorplate cutouts thoughtfully address existing landscape features, leading to a more integrated design. This strategy improves both the appearance and functionality of the buildings, creating vital transitions between private areas and shared spaces.

Structural Systems

The building relies on a grid-based structural system supported by cross-beam columns. This framework allows for versatile layouts of the residential units while optimizing the use of space. The uniform structural elements provide visual consistency, ensuring that all unit types work well together and enhancing the overall living experience.

Material Choices

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is the main building material used for Ripple Housing, highlighting an emphasis on sustainability. This choice reduces the carbon footprint of the construction and enhances structural efficiency, making it quicker to assemble. Using CLT aligns with modern demands for eco-friendly construction, contributing both durability and aesthetic appeal.

The design includes outdoor terraces formed by the distinctive floorplate cutouts. These terraces not only provide private recreational spaces but also allow sunlight to reach deeper into the building, improving residents' daily living experiences.

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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

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