VILLAGE UNITS

A modular flexible settlement

(Prepared for Buildner/kingspan Microhome competition 2024/2025)

Program:
Microhome for
a young couple

Location:
Flexible

area:
25m²

By:
Walid M’seffar

In the face of growing challenges such as housing shortages, land scarcity, and rapid societal transformations, young couples and individuals are increasingly in need of practical, accessible, and flexible housing solutions. Whether in urban or rural environments, the search for a place to call home requires adaptability, affordability, and inclusivity.

Village Units is an innovative architectural proposition that addresses these challenges through a system of modular, scalable units. Designed as a set of basic building blocks, this project enables the creation of a wide variety of housing typologies that respond to different needs and lifestyles.

A Vision for Urban Densification and Social Inclusion:
The project contributes to the densification of the urban fabric by making underutilized spaces valuable assets in their immediate context. From rooftops to parking lots, backyards, and even natural spaces outside the city, these adaptable modules offer a dynamic and resourceful way to activate neglected areas. By enabling accessibility to central locations, Village Units fosters equal opportunities, economic affordability and inclusivity.

Flexibility and Adaptability for a Changing Society:
One of the core principles of this project is to provide solutions that adapt to everyone’s needs. The modular system offers a high degree of flexibility, allowing users the freedom to configure, expand, or relocate their living spaces as their circumstances evolve. Whether seeking community living or a more isolated retreat, Village Units supports diverse lifestyles with ease of adjustment and mobility.

Scalability - From Individual Homes to Thriving Communities:
Beyond individual housing, this project proposes the foundational elements of a small village. By assembling the base modules in multiple configurations, the system allows for the organic growth of a community that can scale from a few units to an entire neighborhood. The ability to generate different typologies ensures that the architecture remains responsive to changing demands and future expansions.

A New Way to Build and Live:
Village Units is more than just a housing concept—it is a framework for rethinking how we inhabit spaces in an era of transformation. By leveraging modularity, adaptability, and strategic urban activation, this project paves the way for a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient built environment.

walid.mseffar@gmail.com Tél : +1 (514)-575-2087

One box at the time

Nestled between the enduring volcanic geology of Myvatn and the mesmerizing dance of the Northern Lights across the Icelandic sky, our project is an ode to the captivating intersection of nature and culture. Here, in a cross-section where the rich cultural tapestry of humans is woven into the very fabric of the environment, traditions thrive and express themselves through architecture, rituals, and the daily habits of the people.

The inspiration for the beer spa is drawn from the traditional house attic, where each programmatic zone is encapsulated within playful boxes. Visitors are invited to transition from one distinct space to another, creating a whimsical and discovery-filled journey. It’s an immersive proposition, inviting guests to engage with the cultural and spa experiences in a mood of playfulness and exploration. The introduction of sloped roofs and the use of local materials pay homage to the cultural heritage, creating a harmonious blend of past and present. Our project, at its core, is a fusion of tradition, innovation, and the enchanting spirit of Myvatn, offering a unique and memorable experience for all, who step into its embrace.

Observation cabins

This proposal is about the moment of observation, the connection between men, as an animal, with other animals. Its purpose is to awake our primal instincts and allow an immersion in nature and childhood amazement. For that to happen, the project implements a juxtaposition of two contradictory elements with a simple tectonic connection: at the base a primal structure (with the use of stones), on the top an intriguing forms with an unsure purpose.

Through the use of simple elements, similar to the Thriliton structures found on ancient sites, the project creates a fragile and intriguing equilibrium that triggers our curiosity and astonishment.

During their journey on the shore, the visitors will encounter three different objects and typologies that lead to live phenomenological experiences with materiality, space and environment.

Cultural center

The center, in it two parts, is conceived as transitional moment for the visitor, a way to start the immersion into the wild environment of the reserve. it’s main focus is to highlight the caracteristics of the surounding context and serve as an infrastructure to implement the need of the organisation.

The materiality and scale serve to, subtly, embed the buildings in it immediate rural context and mark the landscape as a reference point (an urban signal) in the region.
The roof plays an important role in the visual identity of the buildings and gives them the image of a shelter that houses the various activities of the reserve. It also plays the role of a device that control the sun exposure when needed and channel daylight to the appropriate areas.