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Top 90 Architecture Ideas in May

From Modular Mini Homes to Converted Army Base Housing

— May 21, 2016 — Art & Design
From modular mini homes to converted army base housing, there is a growing shift towards homes that are smaller and more affordable. These characteristics are largely fueled by growing urban populations that are forcing architects to rethink the way people live in cities.

When it comes to urban housing projects, there is an enormous effort to maximize the functionality of small spaces. For instance, there are apartments with flexible folding modules that allow consumers to reconfigure a space depending on their needs. Similarly, smart home technology is being used in some houses to transform rooms based on the time of day or the occasion.

In addition to making smaller homes more functional, architects are also trying to make these spaces more affordable for city dwellers. This is particularly important for groups such as low-income families, refugees and seniors, who may struggle to keep pace with rising living costs. Some examples of affordable housing projects include converted army base houses, eco-friendly refugee dwellings and blocky residential towers.
6.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
90
Whimsical Art Institutions
Whimsical Art Institutions
This Drawing Studio Boasts a Sculptural Facade and Spacious Interior
<
89
Motion-Activated Ceilings
Motion-Activated Ceilings
This Ceiling Installation Responds to Movements Of People
<
88
Sky-High Wooden Buildings
Sky-High Wooden Buildings
This New Tower Has Been Designed for London's Barbican Estate
<
87
Landscape-Blending Abodes
Landscape-Blending Abodes
The Life House Cleverly Blends Into the Scenery With its Dark Exterior
<
86
Revitalised Waterfront Condos
Revitalised Waterfront Condos
The Apeiron Towers Offer a Luxe Redesign to Suit Views of the Marina
<
85
Spectacularly Staggered Skyscrapers
Spectacularly Staggered Skyscrapers
The Vista Tower Will Be Chicago's Third Tallest Building
<
84
Blocky Residential Towers
Blocky Residential Towers
This Brooklyn Tower Features a High Proportion of Corner Units
<
83
Thermal Energy-Trapping Buildings
Thermal Energy-Trapping Buildings
The Rocky Mountain Institute's Building is Aptly Eco-Friendly
<
82
Integrated Tower Developments
Integrated Tower Developments
The Toronamon Hills Will Include a New Subway Station and Park
<
81
Hedge-Topped Crystal Complexes
Hedge-Topped Crystal Complexes
The Ko-Bogen 2 Crystal Complex Features 2 Kilometers Of Hedges
<
80
Starry Beach Shelters
Starry Beach Shelters
The Stargazer's Cabin Lets Beachgoers Admire a Star-Filled Ceiling
<
79
Solar-Powered Bus Shelters
Solar-Powered Bus Shelters
London's New Solar Bus Shelters Use Photovoltaic Technology
<
78
Inflatable Spaceship Rooms
Inflatable Spaceship Rooms
The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module Offers an Additional Ship Space
<
77
Sustainable Supertall Skyscrapers
Sustainable Supertall Skyscrapers
The Wuhan Greenland Center EmbracesWater Conservation Measures
<
76
Crescent Viking Museums
Crescent Viking Museums
The AART Architects Conceptual Building Design Opts for a Curved Aesthetic
<
75
Suspended Gap Bridges
Suspended Gap Bridges
The NEY & Partners Cornish Coastline Footbridge Includes a Central Void
<
74
Inclusive Car Showrooms
Inclusive Car Showrooms
This New Vauxhall Showroom Features a Cafe and Kids' Gaming Section
<
73
Rejuvenated Office Buildings
Rejuvenated Office Buildings
The New Ford World Headquarters Will Focus On Employee Well-Being
<
72
Towering Log Cabins
Towering Log Cabins
Phillip Weidner's Wooden Abode is an Eclectic Stacking of Different Rooms
<
71
Modernist Student Residences
Modernist Student Residences
This Danish Campus Embraces an Industrial Architecture Aesthetic
<
70
Levitating House Concepts
Levitating House Concepts
The Lira Luis Prototype for Flood-Avoiding Homes Don't Touch the Ground
<
69
Rustic Artist Residences
Rustic Artist Residences
Musician Vedran Ruzic Transforms a Brick-Clad Home into His Atelier
<
68
Posthumous Maritime Terminal
Posthumous Maritime Terminal
The Salerno Terminal Uses the Late Zaha Hadid's Design Language
<
67
Contemporary Elderly Residences
Contemporary Elderly Residences
This Parisian Apartment Offers Stylish Housing with Medical
<
66
Crystalline Sport Stadiums
Crystalline Sport Stadiums
The Stade de Soccer de Montreal Opts for a Geometric Glass Aesthetic
<
65
Multifunctional Floating Classrooms
Multifunctional Floating Classrooms
These Danish Harbor Baths Double as School Classrooms
<
64
Copper-Clad Towers
Copper-Clad Towers
The American Copper Buildings Will Feature 5,000 Copper Panels
<
63
Mirrored City Park Concepts
Mirrored City Park Concepts
Two Designers Imagine a Way to Extend New York's Central Park
<
62
Floating Office Walls
Floating Office Walls
Stéphane Malka's Workspace Barriers Offer Mobile Design for Agoratic
<
61
Collaborative Co-Op Offices
Collaborative Co-Op Offices
The CoLab Space Features an Open-Concept Layout for Community Working
<
60
VR Architectural Design Tools
VR Architectural Design Tools
The 'ICE 3D' Software Helps Clients Explore Construction Projects
<
59
Outdoor-Enjoying Sanctuaries
Outdoor-Enjoying Sanctuaries
Cristal Box for GANDIABLASCO Lets People Enjoy the Day in Comfort
<
58
Plush Penguin Facilities
Plush Penguin Facilities
The Polk Penguin Conservation Center Features Wave Machines and Rocks
<
57
360-Degree Theaters
360-Degree Theaters
This New Theater Involves Audiences Being Seated On a Rotating Platform
<
56
Pixelated Home Extensions
Pixelated Home Extensions
DKO Architects Builds Floating Boxes on Top of Old Architecture
<
55
Ventilation Shaft Housing Concepts
Ventilation Shaft Housing Concepts
'Tubular Living' by PAO Sees a Home Crafted from Air Ducts
<
54
Interactive Forest Retail Experiences
Interactive Forest Retail Experiences
The COS Display Uses Light and Art to Immerse Shoppers
<
53
Geometric Balconies
Geometric Balconies
Casa Doble by Langarita-Navarro Boasts a Unique Extension Around It
<
52
Ski Jump Cabin Designs
Ski Jump Cabin Designs
The 'Cabin Vindheim' Features a Slanted Roof for Ski Jumps and Sledding
<
51
Detached Games Rooms
Detached Games Rooms
Officina29 Architetti Designed an Airy Space for Fun in Italy
<
50
Parking Lot-Adjacent Dwellings
Parking Lot-Adjacent Dwellings
The 'ZEDpod' is a Low-Carbon Building Design that's Affordable
<
49
Chic Cork Residences
Chic Cork Residences
This Cork Apartment in Prague Marries Elegant and Eco-Friendly Elements
<
48
Mesh Church Reconstructions
Mesh Church Reconstructions
This Artist Used Wire Mesh to Recreate an Early Christian Church
<
47
Futuristic Mobile Hospitals
Futuristic Mobile Hospitals
The Transpital Concept Offers Flexible Units For any Departmental Use
<
46
Retro-Modern Finnish Residences
Retro-Modern Finnish Residences
This House in Finland Embraces Minimalist Design Details
<
45
Natural Co-Working Hubs
Natural Co-Working Hubs
The Treehouse Project is a Stylish Co-Working Hub in Shoreditch
<
44
Adaptable Social Apartments
Adaptable Social Apartments
The KC DEsign Studio Taipei Home Focuses on Public Living Space
<
43
Tropical Concrete Resorts
Tropical Concrete Resorts
The Hix Island House's Minimalistic Design Contrasts the Lush Setting
<
42
Mirrored Cafe Facades
Mirrored Cafe Facades
Platform_monsant by Platform_a Reflects Its Natural Surroundings
<
41
Vertical Recreation Towers
Vertical Recreation Towers
The Vertical Times Offers Living and Workspace in Crowded Cities
<
40
Triangular Transparent Abodes
Triangular Transparent Abodes
Juan Carlos Ramos' Pyramid House Features an Egyptian Aesthetic
<
39
Transformed Scottish Homes
Transformed Scottish Homes
WT Architects Blends Old with the New in a Preservative Way
<
38
Visionary Fluid Skyscrapers
Visionary Fluid Skyscrapers
Gran Meditteraneo Boasts Automated Parking and Farming Spaces
<
37
Fashionable Chocolate Boutiques
Fashionable Chocolate Boutiques
The Saudi Arabian Patchi Shop Presents Sweets Like a Jewelry Store
<
36
Whiteout Seaside Homes
Whiteout Seaside Homes
This House in Spain Brings a Minimalist Design Style to Life
<
35
Delivery Drone Skyscrapers
Delivery Drone Skyscrapers
The Hive is Envisioned as a Futuristic Drone Docking Station
<
34
Sinking Split-Level Homes
Sinking Split-Level Homes
This House in Belgium is Designed by OYO's Architecture Team
<
33
Charming Eatery Renovations
Charming Eatery Renovations
This Heraklion City Restaurant Recently Completed Renovations
<
32
Stark Seaside Residences
Stark Seaside Residences
Okinawa House is a Modern Vacation House That Embraces Minimalism
<
31
Experimental Kitchen Restaurants
Experimental Kitchen Restaurants
Artful Surfaces at 'The Restaurant' Explore Innovative Cooking
<
30
Glass House Couture Flagships
Glass House Couture Flagships
The New Chanel Amsterdam Store Boasts a Stunning Glass Facade
<
29
Artful Luxury Boutiques
Artful Luxury Boutiques
This La Perla Tokyo Store Boasts Luxe Architectural Details
<
28
Self-Supporting Living Pods
Self-Supporting Living Pods
The Harwyn Pod Cube is a Pre-Fab Living Space Offering Multiple Uses
<
27
Converted Army Base Housing
Converted Army Base Housing
These Old Army Barracks are Being Transformed into Affordable Housing
<
26
Architectural LEGO Creations
Architectural LEGO Creations
These LEGO Versions of Architectural Wonders Are Truly Awe-Inspiring
<
25
Small Sustainable Homes
Small Sustainable Homes
Casa Nirau by Paul Cremoux Studio is Stylish and Airy
<
24
Insulated Tiny Homes
Insulated Tiny Homes
This Bespoke Tiny House Uses Structural Insulated Panels
<
23
Liveable Cardboard Abodes
Liveable Cardboard Abodes
The Wikkelhouse is a Sustainable House Made From Recycled Paper
<
22
Industrial Retail Spaces
Industrial Retail Spaces
Côte & Ciel’s Newest Concept Shop Features Luxe Design Details
<
21
Fairytale Working Huts
Fairytale Working Huts
The Writer's Shed Designed by Surman Weston is Located in Hackney, London
<
20
Light-Bathed Tiny Homes
Light-Bathed Tiny Homes
The Hikari Box is Designed to Maximize Space and Natural Light
<
19
Low-Cost Housing Designs
Low-Cost Housing Designs
Alejandro Aravena of Elemental Creates Free Public Housing
<
18
Industrial Zen Residences
Industrial Zen Residences
David Thulstrup's Latest Project is a Residential Garage Transformation
<
17
Urban Zen Residences
Urban Zen Residences
2305 Studio's Up2green House is Designed for a Family with Kids
<
16
Floating Transportation Facilities
Floating Transportation Facilities
The UFO is a Livable Water Station With the Design of a UFO
<
15
Curvaceous Tiny Homes
Curvaceous Tiny Homes
The Curved 260 Micro Home Brings Elegance to Tiny Living
<
14
Outdoorsy Micro Cabins
Outdoorsy Micro Cabins
These Micro Cabins Allow Ample Storage Room For Personal Outdoor Vehicles
<
13
Modernized Shepherd Huts
Modernized Shepherd Huts
These Shepherd Huts Combine Rustic Charm With Modern Facilities
<
12
Bike-Friendly Office Buildings
Bike-Friendly Office Buildings
The Oslo Solar Building is Designed for Bike Storage and Repairs
<
11
Towable Tiny Homes
Towable Tiny Homes
The Start Small Tiny House Blends Useful and Appealing Design
<
10
Floating Sauna Structures
Floating Sauna Structures
goCstudio's Mobile Sauna Has an Electric Motor for Touring Lakes
<
9
Eco-Friendly Refugee Housing
Eco-Friendly Refugee Housing
The 'Hex House' is Designed to be Sustainable and Low-Cost
<
8
Tiny Bedroom Pods
Tiny Bedroom Pods
Illustrator Peter Berkowitz is Living in a Pod to Fight High Housing Costs
<
7
Modular Mini Homes
Modular Mini Homes
The Mini Living Concept Features Modular Folding Units For Greater Versatility
<
6
Art Deco Italian Hotels
Art Deco Italian Hotels
Milan's Hotel Senato Boasts Opulent and Gilded Design Accents
<
5
Cedar Teardrop Trailers
Cedar Teardrop Trailers
This Teardrop Trailer Features Liberal Use Of Gorgeous Red Cedar
<
4
Compact Smart Homes
Compact Smart Homes
This New Smart Home Apartment's Design Transforms Over Time
<
3
Stilted Solar Homes
Stilted Solar Homes
The Sustainable ZED Pods Can Be Installed in Parking Lots
<
2
Repurposed Container Homes
Repurposed Container Homes
The RDP House is Built Using Recycled Shipping Containers and Glass
<
1
Chic Shipping Container Homes
Chic Shipping Container Homes
The Honomobo Shipping Container Living Spaces Satisfy Needs
<