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Adapting To Nature With Plywood and Compressed Panels In Modular Housing

Author:
Tony Jemmott
Adapting To Nature With Plywood and Compressed Panels In Modular Housing

Project in-detail

Constructed with plywood and compressed fibre cement panels, this modular housing solution adapts to its natural surroundings while providing flexible living spaces for diverse resident needs.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes a modular Q 300 system for flexible design configurations.
02
Incorporates a four-panel floor system to enhance spatial efficiency.
03
Features interior plywood lining combined with exterior compressed fibre cement.
04
Designed for easy disassembly to facilitate staging and modifications.
05
Optimized for site-specific conditions, retaining existing trees and natural features.

The Australian Modular House, featuring the Q 300 system, offers a fresh approach to residential design. It focuses on creating adaptable and flexible living spaces. The setting requires a careful response to specific needs and functionality. The overall design concept centers around modularity, enabling a range of housing options within a single framework.

Modular Framework

The Australian Modular House is built on a modular framework that allows various parts to be combined in creative ways. This structure resembles a jigsaw puzzle, where every piece serves a purpose in the whole. The house’s primary structure consists of a simple frame made from posts and beams, combined with a series of cassettes that form the chassis. This design supports different sizes and layouts, granting builders the ability to create unique homes from standardized components.

Material Composition

The building incorporates plywood for the interior panels and uses compressed fibre cement panels on the outside. This combination is practical, as it enhances the strength and durability of the house. The design allows for a mixture of solid wall elements, windows, and doors, offering varied configurations. Additionally, the roof and ceiling comprise cassettes for horizontal elements alongside insulated panels for gabled sections, improving overall energy efficiency and comfort.

Adaptability and Site Response

Adaptability is a key feature of the Australian Modular House. The design facilitates adjustments to internal spaces with movable walls, catering to the changing needs of residents. The Q 300 system encourages building in stages, emphasizing easy disassembly and reconstruction. It also responds to site-specific challenges, arranging the layout to minimize impact on existing trees and natural features. This thoughtful approach balances the architectural vision with environmental considerations.

Final Design Detail

The four-panel floor system plays a vital role in the overall design. It fits neatly within the framework, providing both structural support and flexibility in how spaces are used. This design approach allows for larger, open areas that enhance the overall living experience. With careful planning, the house creates a comfortable environment suited for diverse lifestyles and needs.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

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
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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