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Vertical Community Hubs with Urban Negative Space

Authors:
Honglian Zhang, Wei Xu, Ya fei Wang
Vertical Community Hubs with Urban Negative Space

Project in-detail

Elevated housing units integrated with community hubs and a sky garden transform neglected urban spaces into accessible living environments that respond to the pressing need for affordable housing.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated housing units sit above railway tracks, maximizing land use.
02
Integrates customizable community elements to foster social interaction.
03
Sky garden enhances biodiversity and provides recreational space.
04
Vertical transportation systems ensure easy access to all levels.
05
Focuses on revitalizing underutilized spaces in urban settings.

The design around London Bridge focuses on the need for affordable housing within the urban context of Waterloo Station. The location serves as an important transportation hub. The project aims to enhance community connections and promote sustainable living in an area that feels increasingly crowded. The central concept revolves around using neglected spaces in the city to create a vibrant environment that meets the diverse needs of its residents.

Concept and Functionality
The proposal makes use of Urban Negative Space, specifically targeting areas under existing railway structures that are often overlooked. By adapting these spaces into a linear complex, housing units are positioned above the railway. This design ensures that residents can enjoy vibrant activities and amenities at street level while maximizing the use of available land.

Community Integration
Key to the design is the inclusion of various community elements such as coffee shops, street markets, libraries, and greenhouses. These amenities foster social interactions and help to build a sense of community among residents. The design also features vertical transportation systems, like lifts and escalators, which facilitate easy movement between elevated housing units and the lively public spaces below.

Sustainability and Green Spaces
The design places importance on ecological considerations through the addition of a sky garden. This green space enhances residents' overall experience while supporting biodiversity in the urban environment. The sky garden serves not only as a recreational area but also as a natural habitat, reflecting a commitment to environmentally friendly living practices.

The overall vision addresses the urgent need for affordable housing in London. The modular living units are adaptable to various family structures, ensuring that the design accommodates a wide range of residents. Thoughtful elements create a balance between comfort and accessibility. The combination of community-focused areas with elevated housing results in a living environment that is connected and responsive to the needs of its inhabitants. The careful integration of these features shapes a cohesive urban setting that invites engagement and interaction among 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
competition now

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