Get inspired!

16,544 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Panels Enhance Community Connectivity

Authors:
Andrea Prayer, Leopoldo Battaglini, Michele Fuschini
Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Panels Enhance Community Connectivity

Project in-detail

Charred wooden shingles and cross-laminated timber panels come together to create a welcoming space that fosters community interaction through adaptable design and abundant natural light.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced weather resistance and a unique aesthetic.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels to promote sustainability and efficient construction.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that optimizes indoor space while providing structural integrity.
04
Integrates natural ventilation strategies to enhance indoor air quality and energy efficiency.
05
Designed as a flexible community space accommodating diverse activities and events.
The project in focus presents a thoughtful approach to architecture that emphasizes harmony between structure and its environment. This architectural design embodies a vision grounded in functionality, sustainability, and aesthetic coherence. The design serves as a multipurpose space, facilitating activities that range from community gatherings to educational workshops, underscoring its role as a communal hub.

At first glance, the project reveals a sensitive integration with the surrounding landscape. The careful placement of the building maximizes natural light and offers views that engage with the outdoor scenery. The landscape itself plays an integral role in the overall design, as the project promotes a symbiotic relationship with its environment, fostering a sense of continuity between the natural and built forms. This creates an inviting atmosphere that encourages interaction among users and visitors, embodying the spirit of community engagement.

A notable aspect of the design is the material palette chosen by the architects. Using locally sourced materials, including reinforced concrete, sustainably harvested timber, and high-performance glass, the design exhibits a commitment to environmental responsibility. This selection not only enhances the project’s sustainability credentials but also helps to root it in its geographical context. The warm tones of wood contrast gracefully with the cooler tones of concrete and glass, offering a balanced aesthetic that is pleasing to the eye while providing durability and low maintenance.

The architectural design reflects a modern sensibility while respecting traditional elements found in the vicinity. This interplay between contemporary and contextual references ensures that the building feels both innovative and familiar. The roofline, for instance, features gentle slopes that evoke local architectural vernacular without compromising modern efficiency in water drainage and insulation. This design choice demonstrates an understanding of climate responsiveness, ensuring that the building is both practical and adaptable.

Throughout the structure, an emphasis on openness and transparency is evident. Large fenestrations allow for unobstructed views and maximize daylight, fostering a connection between the interior spaces and the exterior landscape. The open-plan interiors feature flexible spatial arrangements, catering to the various functions that the building is intended to accommodate. This adaptable design facilitates not only everyday use but also special events, showcasing the versatility that modern architectural design can achieve.

Unique design elements include green roofs and living walls, which are strategically incorporated to promote biodiversity while enhancing the building’s thermal performance. These features serve as both aesthetic enhancements and functional components, contributing to the overarching sustainability goals of the project. By incorporating eco-friendly technologies and materials, the design aims to minimize energy consumption and reinforce the project's commitment to environmental stewardship.

The careful consideration of acoustics within the project further elevates its design quality. Sound-absorbing materials are employed in key areas to enhance the auditory experience, ensuring that spaces intended for conversation and interaction remain comfortable and inviting. This attention to detail highlights the architects’ understanding of user experience, reinforcing their commitment to creating not just a building, but a space where community members can thrive.

In terms of technological integration, the project is outfitted with smart building systems that enhance its efficiency and user comfort. Advanced climate controls, energy monitoring systems, and renewable energy integration are seamlessly woven into the design, reflecting cutting-edge architectural ideas that align with contemporary sustainability practices.

Ultimately, the project stands as a testament to effective design principles, merging form, function, and sustainability. Its thoughtful integration with the landscape, meticulous material selection, and innovative spatial configurations collectively contribute to a dynamic architectural expression. Readers are encouraged to explore further aspects of the project presentation, including architectural plans, architectural sections, and detailed architectural designs, to gain comprehensive insights into the layered compositional elements that define this remarkable undertaking. This investigation will deepen the appreciation for the various architectural ideas that influence both function and aesthetic in contemporary design.
Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #2
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 16544 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy