Submission: May 12, 2022
Registration: May 06, 2022
Language: English
Location: Global
Prizes: Please see details below
Type: Open
The participants are to design a prototype of a micro-housing unit that reflects the personal needs and culture of the residential community chosen. A suitable aggregation of these micro-housing units should be done in an urban context.
“HOME” is a space that is intimate to all living beings on the planet. It has a broader, deeper and personal connection with its user apart from being a physical shelter for humans and their daily lives, a home forms a distinct, intimate connection with its users. The ultimate goal for a home is to ignite “the idea of belonging” within its sphere and amongst all those sharing the space.
This gradual rise in population has created an overall housing shortage which can trigger the risk of homelessness, and unorganized development such as slums as well. The health management risks that follow has a massive impact on one’s personal state of mind. To make things worse, the impact of COVID-19 coupled with environmental and financial concerns has further aggravated the housing crisis.
This phenomenon has given rise to a new movement of Micro-Housing; one that commands the idea of simple but inventive living in today’s urban scenario. The concept of these revolutionary homes encourages making the innovation of maximum functional area in a minimum footprint, thus redefining the perception of sustainability in urban dwellings.
What is Micro Housing?
A micro apartment ideally consists of a sleeping space, a common sit-out space, a kitchenette, a bathroom and storage that is designed to camouflage with the space. Space saving furniture such as beds that can be lifted back into the wall, multi functional furniture or extremely small or hidden appliances are key elements that support a micro apartment. There are times when residents may have complete access to a full kitchen, living room, housekeeping facilities and a garden.
OPPORTUNITY
People today are concerned and are exploring opportunities with the aspiration to improve their standard of living and have more freedom in the realm of urban housing.
We invite designers around the world, belonging to various factions, to create inventive, experimental architectural solutions which would surprise today’s housing market and call for a sense of living based on community spirit.
Arranged in self-contained, integrated communities, the residential units would be representative of innovation and creativity in the modularity of spaces. It is through affordable housing that one can bring stability, economic diversity and improve the physical quality of the neighbourhood.
“Housing is absolutely essential to human flourishing. Without stable shelter, it all falls apart.” -Matthew Desmond (American Sociologist)
CHALLENGE
A total of 100 users should be considered for the design. Participants are to choose a site relevant to the topic, in the urban context. The design has to serve as an upgrade to the standard of living of the users. While being very functional, it should also be aesthetically appealing.
The built-up area of each residential unit should not exceed 350 sq. ft. and should house up to 4 individuals. The unit should be a prototype, making the optimum use of space, and it needs to be explained in detail.
The designed units should cater to personal needs (rest, bath, cook, and work) and community requirements (interact). As per their discretion, the participants are free to add more spaces required in their designs. The design of the micro-housing residential complex should also provide solutions for circulation such as staircases, passages, etc.
Site Selection
The participants are to design a prototype of a micro-housing unit that reflects the personal needs and culture of the residential community chosen. A suitable aggregation of these micro-housing units should be done in an urban context.
Awards
Prizes of total USD 10000, broken as follows.
1st prize USD 5000 + Certificate + Publication
2nd prize USD 2500 + Certificate + Publication
3rd prize USD 1500 + Certificate + Publication
1st Special Mention USD 500
2nd Special Mention USD 500 10
Honorable mentions: Certificates
Winners and Honorable Mentions will be published on Impact Competitions website and several international architecture and design magazines. To show our appreciation, all the participants would receive participation certificate.
Eligibility
Micro Housing 2022 International Architecture Competition is open to all. We invite architects,students, engineers, product designers, thinkers, companies, organizations and everyone interested in the mission of the competition to submit their ideas. No professional qualifications are necessary.
