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Bendable Plywood Structure With Dedicated Water Storage for Community Coffee Service

Authors:
Tim Keepers, Catherine Schultz
Bendable Plywood Structure With Dedicated Water Storage for Community Coffee Service

Project in-detail

A bendable plywood structure equipped with a dedicated water storage system efficiently serves as a community coffee house, combining functionality with a compact, transportable design.
5 key facts about this project
01
Bendable plywood allows for flexible design and easy transportation.
02
Dedicated water storage system supports efficient coffee preparation.
03
Compact footprint maximizes usability in urban environments.
04
CNC-cut structural ribs enhance stability while reducing weight.
05
User-centric layout promotes seamless interaction between staff and customers.

KREM Coffee House is a compact structure designed with functionality and community use in mind. Located in urban settings, it acts as a coffee retailer and a social space. Its design concept focuses on efficiency while creating a warm and welcoming environment. The building is sized to fit easily into a short flatbed truck or an enclosed tractor trailer, making transport and setup straightforward.

Spatial Configuration

The interior layout of KREM Coffee House is skillfully arranged to enhance service and customer interaction. Key areas include a work zone featuring essential tools like an espresso machine, sink, and storage. A dedicated storage area and POS counter help staff manage their duties efficiently. This setup promotes smooth service flow, benefiting both customers and baristas in their daily routines.

Functional Elements

Various functional features cater to the needs of customers and employees. The main entry provides straightforward access, while standing surfaces and drink queue counters improve the service experience. The structure’s rear is reserved for operational needs, including water storage and pump facilities. This division supports efficient workflow while maintaining a friendly atmosphere in customer areas.

Illumination and Materiality

Well-considered lighting elements enhance the environment inside the coffee house. LED neon lights paired with upper light reveals and lower wall cap fixtures offer clarity and create a pleasant setting. The materials used, such as bendable plywood, 2x2s, and 1/16" sheet metal, allow for quick assembly and contribute to an appealing look. The structural ribs are designed for CNC cutting, boosting the sturdiness without adding weight, keeping transport easy.

Design Details

KREM Coffee House balances simplicity and practicality. Clean lines and well-thought-out spaces show modern design principles while encouraging community interactions. The mix of functional features with thoughtful lighting creates a cohesive environment, making this coffee house an engaging addition to the urban landscape.

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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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