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Cantilevered Decks Featuring Natural Wood Cladding and Sustainable Landscaping For Private Coastal Living

Authors:
Jacob Ptolemy, Taylor Gamble
Cantilevered Decks Featuring Natural Wood Cladding and Sustainable Landscaping For Private Coastal Living

Project in-detail

Cantilevered sections and expansive glass railings enhance the connection to nature in a coastal residence designed to foster indoor-outdoor living and social interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cantilevered upper level creates shaded outdoor spaces below.
02
Extensive use of glass railings enhances views while ensuring safety.
03
Natural wood cladding integrates seamlessly with the landscaped environment.
04
Design prioritizes passive solar heating through strategically placed windows.
05
Native plant landscaping supports local biodiversity and reduces maintenance.

### Overview
Located in Laguna Beach, California, Lagunita is a contemporary residential structure designed to accommodate a young couple with a penchant for an active and social lifestyle. The project focuses on optimizing the use of space while fostering a connection with the surrounding natural environment. The design facilitates the interplay between indoor and outdoor areas, prioritizing functionality and enhancing the overall living experience.

### Spatial Organization and Functionality
The layout of Lagunita comprises two levels, strategically divided to provide both communal and private spaces. The first level features a spacious living area that seamlessly connects to an outdoor deck, promoting social interaction and outdoor engagement. Common areas are situated to encourage gatherings, while the upper level houses private spaces, including bedrooms and a home office. Large windows throughout the home allow for ample natural light, enhancing the sense of openness and reinforcing the connection to the exterior landscape.

### Materiality and Sustainable Practices
The building's material choices reflect a commitment to both aesthetic appeal and sustainability. The exterior is finished with smooth white stucco, providing a modern contrast to the lush greenery surrounding the site. Natural wood, possibly cedar, is employed in the cantilevered ceilings, adding warmth and texture. Glass railings are utilized to preserve unobstructed views of the landscape, while durable decking materials extend the living space outdoors. The landscaping features native flora, which not only frames the structure but also promotes environmental harmony and minimizes ecological disruption. This approach indicates a focus on sustainable design principles, including energy efficiency through thoughtful window placement and material selection.

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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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