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Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Panels Define This Sustainable Community Space

Authors:
Abdullah Selwaye, Judi Selwaye
Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Panels Define This Sustainable Community Space

Project in-detail

With a façade of charred wooden shingles and inviting interiors crafted from cross-laminated timber panels, the design creates a warm and sustainable community hub that emphasizes functionality and integration with its natural surroundings.
5 key facts about this project
01
The façade utilizes charred wooden shingles, enhancing durability while creating a natural aesthetic.
02
Cross-laminated timber panels used throughout provide structural strength and streamline construction.
03
A bent A-frame design not only optimizes spatial dynamics but also maximizes natural light penetration.
04
Integrated landscaping features promote biodiversity and enhance the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
05
Energy-efficient systems are incorporated to minimize environmental impact and support sustainable living.
The architectural design project under review exemplifies a thoughtful integration of form, function, and context. Designed with a focus on both aesthetic appeal and practical utility, the project stands as a testament to contemporary architectural principles while responding to its geographical environment. The overall concept emerges from a desire to create spaces that enhance the user experience without compromising the surrounding natural landscape.

At first glance, the project showcases a harmonious blend of modern design elements with a respect for traditional architectural motifs. The façade is characterized by clean lines and an intentional use of proportions, which contribute to a balanced visual weight. The choice of materials plays a significant role in this design narrative. The project employs a variety of natural materials including locally sourced stone, timber, and glass. The stone façade not only grounds the structure within its environment but also provides a sense of permanence and durability. The wooden elements add warmth and texture, creating a welcoming ambiance, while the extensive use of glass facilitates transparency and luminosity, allowing natural light to permeate interior spaces.

Functionally, the design incorporates multiple zones that cater to both public and private activities. The arrangement of these spaces illustrates a careful consideration of movement and flow, ensuring that transitions between different areas are seamless. Open-plan layouts dominate the interior, promoting flexibility and adaptability in how spaces are utilized. This approach enhances the usability of the architectural design, allowing it to accommodate a range of events and activities. Specific details, such as built-in furnishings, optimize functionality without encroaching on the visual aesthetic, ensuring a cohesive design language throughout the project.

The project also embraces sustainability as a core value, utilizing energy-efficient technologies and materials. High-performance glazing and insulation techniques have been employed to reduce energy consumption, underscoring a commitment to environmental responsibility. Rainwater harvesting systems and solar panels further enhance the project’s environmental profile, demonstrating how architecture can foster a symbiotic relationship with nature.

One of the unique aspects of this design lies in its contextual responsiveness. The building’s orientation is carefully calibrated to take advantage of natural light while providing shelter from prevailing winds, thereby maximizing comfort for its users. The outdoor spaces are thoughtfully integrated, featuring landscaped gardens and green roofs that not only enhance the building’s aesthetic appeal but also contribute to biodiversity. These spaces are designed for recreation and relaxation, offering users a chance to connect with nature, which is an essential aspect of the project’s philosophy.

The architectural plans detail how the spaces are organized and how they function together, showcasing various zones such as communal areas, private rooms, and service spaces. Architectural sections reveal the relationship between interior and exterior, providing insight into the scale and proportion of the design. These plans and sections are essential for understanding the spatial dynamics that shape the user experience.

The design embodies a contemporary interpretation of traditional values, celebrating craftsmanship while incorporating innovative technologies. This blend of approaches results in a project that is not only visually engaging but also deeply rooted in its environment and responsive to the needs of its occupants.

As you explore the presentation of this architectural design project further, consider reviewing the intricate architectural plans, sections, and diverse architectural ideas that underscore this remarkable work. Engaging with these elements will provide deeper insights into the thoughtful decisions that shape this modern architectural project.
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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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