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Buried Structure with Reclaimed Hardwood and Expansive Views for Community Living

Authors:
Allison Hoagland, Hans Steffes
Buried Structure with Reclaimed Hardwood and Expansive Views for Community Living

Project in-detail

A partially buried structure enhances community engagement while utilizing reclaimed hardwood and large openings for expansive views, creating a shared environment for communal activities.
5 key facts about this project
01
Partially buried design enhances thermal efficiency and minimizes visual impact on the landscape.
02
Large horizontal windows optimize natural light while providing direct views of surrounding nature.
03
Reclaimed hardwood flooring promotes sustainability and reflects community values.
04
Stepped plaza creates a seamless transition between interior and exterior spaces.
05
Art gallery within the entrance showcases local community artwork, fostering creative expression.

The Spirala Community Home is designed to blend harmoniously with its natural surroundings. Located on a hillside, the home serves as a communal space for its residents, focusing on collaboration and togetherness. The design aims to integrate the building into the landscape, prioritizing community relationships and a connection to the environment.

Spatial Organization
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The layout of the Spirala Community Home encourages interaction among residents. Upon entering, visitors find a small art gallery displaying the work of community members. This gallery opens into a communal kitchen area, which acts as a gathering point for social activities. The main gathering space is large enough to accommodate various uses, such as yoga sessions and community meetings, reinforcing the space's role as a center for communal life.

Integration with the Landscape
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Large horizontal windows play a key role in connecting the interior of the home with the outside world. The eastern facade features expansive glazing that offers views of the surrounding grasslands, fostering a strong relationship with the natural landscape. On the northwestern side, operable glass doors lead to a stepped plaza, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor areas. This openness invites residents to engage with nature and strengthens the community spirit.

Material Choices
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Material selection emphasizes the building's connection to its surroundings. Key materials include stucco with self-furring lath, sheathing with a vapor barrier, and a steel structural frame. Reclaimed hardwood flooring and a concrete foundation with rebar enhance durability while supporting environmentally friendly practices. These choices reflect a commitment to sustainability and the long-term well-being of the community.

The design culminates in a terrace that offers views over the community. This space provides residents with an opportunity to enjoy the landscape while fostering a sense of shared responsibility for their environment.

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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

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