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Wooden Loft Living with Integrated Urban Gardens

Authors:
Matthias Karch, Carolin Hoefler
Wooden Loft Living with Integrated Urban Gardens

Project in-detail

Constructed with wooden modules and incorporating urban gardens, the Gasometer transformation blends affordable loft living with communal spaces that foster community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Loft Type D includes coworking spaces and artist studios to support creative community engagement.
02
All residential modules are constructed from wood, adhering to sustainable building practices.
03
The design incorporates urban gardening terraces to enhance green spaces in the urban environment.
04
Open-air cinema and performance areas provide cultural enrichment for residents and visitors.
05
The project promotes multifunctional spaces that facilitate social interaction and a sense of community.

The Gasometer in Berlin Schöneberg serves as a unique site for an innovative approach to affordable housing and community spaces. The design incorporates two towers: Tower 01 focuses on informal common infrastructure, while Tower 02 is primarily dedicated to residential living. The concept aims to enhance social interaction and community involvement, all while respecting the historical essence of the site.

Residential Offerings

The design includes various loft types to meet the needs of different residents. Loft Type A offers 130 square meters of living space, while Type B provides 103 square meters with access to shared amenities. Type C features a winter garden within its 78 square meters, and Type D is designed for coworking spaces across 450 square meters, allowing for a range of community functions. This thoughtful arrangement reflects an understanding of urban living dynamics and accommodates both individual and communal experiences.

Public Spaces

Key to the design is the creation of public areas that encourage residents to connect and engage with one another. These spaces include children’s playgrounds, an open-air theater, and informal gathering spots that can become lively dance floors at night. Such areas promote social interaction and a vibrant atmosphere. The inclusion of urban gardening terraces and pocket parks also supports environmental well-being, offering greenery in an urban context and enhancing the quality of life for those in the community.

Sustainability and Materials

Wood is the chosen material for all housing modules, in line with sustainable building practices. This choice contributes to the strength of the structures and fosters a warm aesthetic that blends with the urban environment. The design minimizes the ecological footprint by clustering the towers, tackling issues of space and affordability while providing necessary public areas, all while keeping the historical character of the Gasometer intact.

Noteworthy Design Features

Careful attention is paid to the details that enrich day-to-day life for residents. Features such as open-air cinemas and informal meeting spaces are built into the layout, enhancing community engagement and a sense of belonging. By integrating modern functions into the existing structure of the Gasometer, the design balances contemporary needs with a respect for the past. The result is a thoughtful approach to urban living that invites both functionality and community connection.

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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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