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Broken Tile Facade With Catalan Vaults in a Community-Focused Residence

Authors:
Ryo Murata, Isabelle Nobayashi, Chenyin Xu, Hiroki Moriya
Broken Tile Facade With Catalan Vaults in a Community-Focused Residence

Project in-detail

Utilizing Catalan vaults and a facade of broken tiles, the design integrates with the landscape to create a community-focused residence that fosters artistic collaboration and environmental awareness.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes a unique Catalan vault construction method for efficient thermal performance.
02
Incorporates a facade made of broken tiles, reflecting local craftsmanship.
03
Features a design inspired by the natural topography of the site.
04
Includes integrated water recycling systems for sustainable resource management.
05
Promotes communal spaces to enhance interaction among artists and visitors.

An artists' residence and education complex is designed to blend with the surrounding landscape, emphasizing the connection between the built environment and nature. The project is situated in a location with varied topography, which inspires its creative layout. By focusing on the natural contours of the site, the design promotes artistic practice in a way that invites collaboration and engagement among its users.

Structure and Form

Mountain-like shapes rise from the ground, echoing the landscape's features. This approach helps the buildings fit into the environment, allowing people to move easily between different parts of the complex. The layout encourages social interaction, providing spaces for residents and visitors to connect and exchange ideas. Each area is thoughtfully arranged to support a vibrant community of artists.

Key Facilities

The complex includes various distinct spaces, including the Residency, Workshop, Meditation area, Hostel, and Coworking space. Each element serves a specific purpose while working together to create a unified experience. Traditional construction methods are employed to resonate with local heritage, creating a bridge between the past and modern approaches to sustainability.

Material Considerations

A focus on materials enhances the project's practical and visual qualities. The buildings feature a brick finish typical of the Catalan vault, providing texture and aesthetic appeal. Rock wool insulation is used to improve energy efficiency and maintain comfort within the spaces. Broken tile finishes add a touch of local craftsmanship, creating surfaces that are both functional and interesting.

Ecological Integration

Sustainability plays a key role throughout the design. Systems for recycling water and features that collect rainwater demonstrate a commitment to environmental responsibility. Open spaces and pathways encourage exploration and facilitate a deeper connection with the surrounding landscape, allowing residents to engage fully with their environment.

Landscaping blends seamlessly with the architectural features, creating spaces for quiet reflection and casual gatherings while fostering inspiration for creative work. The design invites individuals to enjoy both individual moments of solitude and shared experiences, enriching the overall atmosphere of the complex.

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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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