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Burnt Wood Structures Enhancing Community Connectivity with Roof Gardens

Author:
Tamás Herczeg
Burnt Wood Structures Enhancing Community Connectivity with Roof Gardens

Project in-detail

Built with burnt wood and enhanced by rooftop gardens, the design promotes community engagement while effectively integrating sustainable waste management practices.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced weather resistance and aesthetic appeal.
02
Features a partially embedded northern wing that integrates with the site's topography.
03
Includes a communal pond designed to support local biodiversity and community engagement.
04
Incorporates designated areas for processing organic waste on-site to promote sustainability.
05
Provides seamless pedestrian access through a predominantly car-free southern entrance.

The design is situated in a remote area, about 500 meters from the nearest residential neighborhood. This location allows it to serve as a central gathering place for nearby scattered settlements. The overall concept combines various types of spaces—closed, open, and semi-open—to encourage interaction while providing necessary separation between different functions. By thoughtfully integrating public areas, depots, storage spaces, and service facilities, the design seeks to enhance community engagement and accessibility.

Spatial Organization

The layout follows a three-wing structure that clearly defines economic and community functions. The southern entrance is primarily for pedestrians, reducing vehicle traffic and creating more opportunities for recreational use. This careful planning fosters a lively social environment, bringing residents together while maintaining a sense of order and purpose.


Sustainability Measures

Waste management is effectively incorporated, with designated areas for collecting and recycling organic materials located on the west side of the building. This key feature emphasizes a strong commitment to sustainability. Communal gardens and greenhouses are planned on the flat roof and around a created lake. These spaces not only add beauty but also serve practical purposes, like supporting local biodiversity and improving air quality.


Local Economy Engagement

Supporting a local circular economy is another important aspect of the design. Waste and organic materials will be processed on-site, with composted materials used as soil for the community gardens and greenhouses. The collection of rainwater for irrigation is another feature that enhances sustainability, encouraging community members to participate in environmental care.


Architectural Context

Architecturally, the design reflects local traditions while incorporating modern elements. It makes thoughtful use of familiar concepts from Icelandic architecture, particularly the idea of hiding spaces within the landscape. Features like the depot that aligns with the natural grade of the site and the northern wing partially embedded in the ground show a smart response to the area's topography.


The focus on communal spaces, greenery, and sustainable practices shapes the character of the design, positioning it as an integral part of the community 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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