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Vertical Lawns and Bamboo Scaffolding in Urban Housing

Authors:
Yat tin Yuen, Eric gar jun Li
Vertical Lawns and Bamboo Scaffolding in Urban Housing

Project in-detail

Incorporating vertical lawns and bamboo scaffolding, the design transforms urban gaps into sustainable housing that fosters community interaction while utilizing eco-friendly materials.
5 key facts about this project
01
Bamboo scaffolding facilitates rapid construction and flexibility in design.
02
Vertical lawns provide residents with opportunities for urban gardening.
03
X-form and Y-form units adapt to varying urban conditions and spaces.
04
Emphasis on community interaction encourages shared maintenance of green areas.
05
Sustainable practices are prioritized through the use of renewable materials.

The project reimagines urban living through the use of bamboo scaffolding as a key structural element. Located in areas with high population density, the design aims to convert empty spaces such as gaps between buildings and flat walls into functional homes. The main focus is on promoting flexibility and sustainability, allowing quick construction while introducing green elements into the city landscape.

Innovative Structural Approach

The design makes use of bamboo scaffolding, which is known for being lightweight, strong, and flexible. These properties allow for versatile layouts that can adapt to various urban settings. Emphasizing efficiency, the approach substantially cuts down construction time, which is especially important in cities where the demand for housing is urgent.

Vertical Integration of Nature

A key aspect of the design is its "vertical lawns," which blend nature with buildings. This idea goes against the typical separation of living spaces from green areas, creating opportunities for residents to interact with their surroundings. The vertical gardens add beauty while encouraging people to take an active role in maintaining their shared outdoor spaces.

Modular Unit Configurations

There are two main unit types in the layout: the X-form and Y-form units. The X-form units are designed to stack and attach to existing walls, providing flexibility for different urban situations. In contrast, the Y-form units are tailored for narrow alleys and other underused spaces, enhancing the potential for infill development. Both unit types reflect a practical design approach that responds to diverse living needs while respecting the constraints of their environment.

Sustainable Material Choice

Bamboo scaffolding serves as the main material in this design. Its quick growth and renewability make it a fitting choice for sustainable construction. By using bamboo, the project not only supports eco-friendly building practices but also strengthens the overall structure.

The design's vertical lawns showcase planters extending from modular units, with plants climbing the structures above. This arrangement creates a clear connection between the buildings and the natural environment, offering both beauty and practicality to urban life.

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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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