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Translucent Polycarbonate Facades with Modular Steel Grid Housing for Community Resilience

Author:
Yuchen Li
Translucent Polycarbonate Facades with Modular Steel Grid Housing for Community Resilience

Project in-detail

Utilizing a steel grid structure and translucent polycarbonate facades, the design creates a modular housing solution that fosters community resilience in post-war environments.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes a steel grid framework for structural flexibility.
02
Incorporates translucent polycarbonate panels for natural lighting.
03
Features modular components allowing for resident-driven layout changes.
04
Includes dedicated healing rooms for mental health support.
05
Designed to foster community engagement through participatory construction.

**Restorative Housing System in Post-War Context**

Located in areas significantly impacted by war, this architectural initiative aims to address the urgent need for housing while fostering social cohesion and psychological well-being. The design centers on a modular and restorative housing framework that incorporates communal and health-oriented spaces, emphasizing the importance of not only rebuilding physical structures but also revitalizing community ties and emotional support networks.

**Modular and Adaptive Framework**

At the core of the design is a modular system featuring a steel grid structure, which enables the stabilization of existing war-damaged buildings. This framework supports various residential units constructed from lightweight precast concrete or wood panels, allowing for easy assembly and future modifications. The dimensions of these panels—50cm x 50cm—facilitate resident involvement in the reconstruction process, thus promoting a sense of ownership and fostering community engagement.

**Health-Centric Design Elements**

The integration of communal spaces, including a public cafeteria, children's activity areas, and dedicated healing rooms, reflects a focus on social interaction and psychological recovery. Exterior design elements, such as translucent polycarbonate panels in calming hues, enhance natural light penetration, contributing to uplifting interior environments. Incorporating balconies and landscaped outdoor areas further promotes a connection with nature, addressing mental well-being and creating inviting spaces for community gatherings.

This project establishes critical principles of sustainable reconstruction, adaptability, and cultural relevance, ensuring that rebuilding efforts are responsive to the evolving needs of the population and retain the community's identity through local material use and active resident participation.

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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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