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Vertical Living Within a Lightweight Metal Frame and Wooden Modules

Authors:
Alessia Gallo, Bianca Federici
Vertical Living Within a Lightweight Metal Frame and Wooden Modules

Project in-detail

Stacked wooden houses within a vertical metal frame provide a unique solution for community living, offering a blend of privacy and accessibility in an urban environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular design allows for flexible height and width configurations to meet diverse user needs.
02
Integrates individual wooden houses into a shared vertical metal framework for enhanced community living.
03
Vertical distribution system facilitates direct access from public spaces to each dwelling.
04
Emphasizes a gradual transition from public to private areas to improve residential privacy.
05
Utilizes lightweight, prefabricated construction methods for efficient assembly and sustainability.

The project presents a modular solution situated in an urban context, designed to combine independent wooden houses within a vertical metal frame. The overall concept emphasizes the balance between private and communal spaces, allowing for both individual living and community interaction. Each home maintains its identity while being part of a larger framework, enhancing the livability of the environment.

Design Framework

The main architectural idea focuses on integrating individual dwellings into a structured grid system that facilitates vertical stacking. This design increases accessibility, where a metal grid acts as a distribution system that makes it easy for residents to move between different levels. Direct connections from public areas to each unit promote inclusivity, encouraging social interactions among occupants.

Spatial Organization

Spaces are organized in layers, moving from public to private. The arrangement starts with the city landscape, flows into semipublic areas that feature collective open spaces within the metal frame, and leads to private gardens, visible verandas, and finally to the homes. This thoughtful layout enhances the user experience by providing various levels of privacy as one moves through the environment.

Material Utilization

A focus on lightweight, prefabricated components guides material choices, particularly the use of XLAM multilayer panels for walls, ceilings, and roofs. These materials not only support efficient building practices but also align with sustainability goals. The lightweight nature of the materials contributes to the overall aim of low-cost and low-consumption living.

Flexibility in Design

Flexibility is key in this design, allowing living units to adapt according to different user needs. The architectural layout can be modified in height and width, reflecting the evolving nature of urban living. This adaptability ensures that the design remains functional, catering to various lifestyles over time.

The design features integrated verandas that act as key connections between indoor spaces and private outdoor areas, providing opportunities for residents to engage with their surroundings while enhancing the overall living experience.

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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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