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Timber Panels and Adaptable Loft Spaces in Urban Residential Living

Authors:
Răzvan Vingan, Laura elena Cana
Timber Panels and Adaptable Loft Spaces in Urban Residential Living

Project in-detail

Compressed laminated timber panels support flexible loft spaces that adapt to resident needs in a context of urban living, fostering a community-oriented environment through integrated amenities.
5 key facts about this project
01
Self-tailored layouts allow residents to modify spaces as their needs change.
02
Compressed laminated timber panels enhance structural efficiency and sustainability.
03
Integrated communal facilities promote social interaction among residents.
04
Loft areas are designed for flexible use, such as additional bedrooms or workspaces.
05
The design addresses urban construction challenges with careful material selection.

Unité d'habitation 2.0 is located in the busy urban environment of Paris, designed to meet the growing need for flexible living spaces. The focus is on creating homes that can adapt to the personal needs of residents. This approach combines ideas from both past and present, aiming for a residential solution that is practical and sustainable. The design prioritizes a self-tailored concept, allowing individuals to adjust their living environments as their circumstances change.

Architectural Concept

The design draws inspiration from the principles of Le Corbusier and the incremental housing approaches of Alejandro Aravena. This mix encourages flexibility and adaptability in the layout of living spaces. Each unit is created with the possibility of future modifications, which helps maintain function over time. This flexibility makes the homes suitable for a wide range of lifestyles, allowing residents to shape their living areas according to their personal preferences.



Materials and Structure

Compressed laminated timber panels are used as key structural elements in the building. These panels provide necessary support while promoting a lighter overall structure. They are a suitable choice for urban settings, where land and space can be limited. The use of this material aligns with environmentally responsible practices, as it is renewable and allows for efficient building methods that reduce waste.



Community Integration

In addition to individual units, the design includes shared facilities like co-working spaces, libraries, and medical clinics. These communal areas enhance the living experience, fostering connections among residents. Through thoughtful design, the project supports a sense of community. This helps to address the social needs of city dwellers, offering both personal and shared spaces for everyday life.



Logistical Considerations

The design takes into account the logistical challenges often found in urban construction. The careful selection of structural elements enables straightforward access and transportation through narrow city streets. This consideration helps streamline the building process, making it more efficient and less disruptive to the surrounding area.



A notable feature of the design is the use of vertical space within the apartments, where higher ceilings allow for adaptable loft areas. These spaces can be transformed into additional bedrooms or home offices, increasing overall functionality and enhancing the living experience for residents.

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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
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