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Tubular Living Spaces Enhanced by Carbonized Steel and Micro-Gardens in Urban Settings

Authors:
Luis Echeverri, Ramiro Ospina
Tubular Living Spaces Enhanced by Carbonized Steel and Micro-Gardens in Urban Settings

Project in-detail

Utilizing a modular design of tubular forms crafted from durable concrete and carbonized steel, this urban residence integrates micro-gardens to enhance natural light and promote community engagement within a compact living environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes an innovative modular design with three distinct tubular forms for functional zoning.
02
Incorporates carbonized steel for enhanced durability and structural integrity.
03
Features integrated micro-gardens to promote biodiversity and improve air quality.
04
Optimizes natural light and ventilation through strategically placed openings.
05
Designed for adaptability, allowing for flexible residential configurations over time.

### Overview
The 3-Tube House is located within an urban context that demands innovative housing solutions. Its design features three tubular modules that coalesce to form an efficient living environment, addressing contemporary urban challenges by emphasizing sustainability, modularity, and community engagement. The project serves as a prototype for future residential developments aimed at making minimal living spaces both functional and adaptable.

### Spatial Organization
The design is organized into three distinct modules, each fulfilling a specific purpose. The **Social Module** functions as a communal area, fostering interaction and shared experiences among residents. The **Technical Module** houses essential utilities and services, designed for efficient management and accessibility. Lastly, the **Private Module** provides individual living quarters, prioritizing privacy while offering connections to the outdoors through well-placed windows and garden spaces. This modular approach allows for flexibility in configuration, accommodating diverse user needs within various urban landscapes.

### Material Selection and Sustainability
A thoughtful assembly of materials underpins the structural integrity and aesthetic appeal of the 3-Tube House. The use of **concrete** ensures durability and thermal efficiency, while **wood** adds warmth to interior spaces. **Glass** facilitates natural light penetration and enhances ventilation, connecting occupants with their surroundings. **Carbonized steel** is strategically employed to reinforce structural profiles, contributing to the overall sustainability aims of the project. Additionally, the integration of **photovoltaic panels** allows for solar energy utilization, further promoting energy efficiency and resource conservation. Complementing these features, **micro-gardens** are incorporated to improve air quality and support biodiversity, reflecting a commitment to biophilic design principles.

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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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