FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Grow Together: Modular Microhome Community Model for Social Reintegration and Sustainable Urban Living

"Grow Together," designed by Yanci Chen, has earned the prestigious Iron A' Social Design Award 2025 for its innovative approach to addressing homelessness in Seattle. The project transforms residential backyards into hubs for modular, off-grid microhomes, providing dignified transitional housing for individuals seeking to reconnect with society. By integrating adaptive architecture, urban farming, and sustainable systems, "Grow Together" offers a scalable model for community-driven reintegration and ecological responsibility.

The design features prefabricated micro-housing units constructed from cross-laminated timber and recycled steel, each equipped with solar panels, rainwater filtration, and composting toilets to ensure self-sufficiency. Shared community hubs, ranging from 20 to 50 square meters, include greenhouses and flexible gathering spaces for skill-building and social programs. The project's biophilic design, passive cooling strategies, and circular material use enhance resident well-being while minimizing environmental impact.

Developed through extensive research and community engagement, "Grow Together" responds to the urgent need for privacy, autonomy, and social inclusion among unhoused individuals. The project addresses challenges such as neighborhood acceptance, zoning regulations, and off-grid utility optimization through modular innovation and adaptive policy integration. By fostering cross-generational exchange and supporting reintegration, "Grow Together" sets a new standard for inclusive, sustainable urban design and has influenced ongoing policy discussions in Seattle.

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