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Breathable Polycarbonate Facade Encloses Compact Recycled Hardwood Gym

Author:
Weng i Kok
Breathable Polycarbonate Facade Encloses Compact Recycled Hardwood Gym

Project in-detail

A 360-degree movable cabinet system enhances the functionality of a compact living space where a breathable polycarbonate facade wraps around, creating a personal gym that integrates fitness and daily life within an urban environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
The design features a facade that mimics the mechanics of breathing through expansion and contraction.
02
A 360-degree movable cabinet system allows for rapid reconfiguration of the interior space.
03
Recycled materials include hardwood for structural elements and polycarbonate for the facade.
04
The project integrates outdoor spaces for relaxation alongside fitness areas.
05
It emphasizes multifunctionality, accommodating both exercise and daily living activities.

The Mobile Home Gym project offers a modern solution for urban living, focusing on the need for fitness within everyday life. Located in a city environment, the design incorporates a versatile living space that encourages physical activity while blending it with typical home functions. It directly responds to the rise in home exercise routines, especially noted during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing a balanced lifestyle that prioritizes health.

Design Concept

At its core, the design centers around creating a personal home gym that can be easily accessed. It allows users to incorporate exercise into their daily schedules without the need to visit a traditional gym. With a focus on convenience and accessibility, the project promotes the idea that fitness can be an integral part of everyday life, eliminating barriers presented by external facilities.



Spatial Configuration

A significant element of the design is its adaptable nature. The interior features a 360-degree movable cabinet system that makes it easy to change the arrangement of spaces. This flexibility allows the area to serve multiple purposes, such as dining, sleeping, working, or exercising. By maximizing the use of compact space, the layout supports various activities throughout the day, placing user experience at the center of the design approach.



Sustainability and Material Use

Sustainability is a core principle in the project, shown through the choice of materials that minimize environmental impact. Recycled hardwood is used for the frame, floors, decks, and trims, while recycled plywood forms the ceilings and walls. The façade is made from recycled polycarbonate, which enhances insulation and reduces solar heat gain. These material choices are aligned with a broader commitment to eco-friendly living and reflect a thoughtful approach to construction.



Aesthetic and Functional Integration

The exterior design reflects a concept inspired by the mechanics of breathing. It presents a form that appears to expand and contract, capturing a sense of vitality and connection to the human experience. This design choice goes beyond mere function, aiming to create an aesthetic that resonates with health and well-being. The result is a structure that embodies both practicality and a lively sense of movement, merging fitness with the comfort of home life.

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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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