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Cedar Micro-Units with Community Hall and Rainwater Harvesting Systems

Author:
Bryan Entong Ye
Cedar Micro-Units with Community Hall and Rainwater Harvesting Systems

Project in-detail

Crafted from sustainable cedar, the design integrates micro-units and a communal hall with rainwater harvesting systems to support a resilient living environment for the Kwantlen First Nations community.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted entirely from locally sourced cedar, enhancing sustainability.
02
Incorporates a centralized community hall for cultural gatherings.
03
Features integrated rainwater harvesting systems for resource efficiency.
04
Micro-units designed to encourage communal living and social interaction.
05
Emphasizes traditional Indigenous architectural elements in modern context.

## Overview
Kwantlen Village is located along the Fraser River in Langley, British Columbia, on a 24,000 m² site. The initiative aims to address the housing crisis faced by Indigenous communities, specifically the Kwantlen First Nations. Informed by a commitment to cultural heritage and contemporary living standards, the design seeks to honor Indigenous traditions while incorporating sustainable practices.

## Spatial Strategy and Community Design
The layout features micro-home units that can cluster to promote communal relationships, reflective of traditional plank house configurations. Key elements include a central Grand Hall for community events, community gardening areas for collective agricultural efforts, and open courtyards that facilitate social interactions among residents. These design choices are aimed at enhancing social cohesion and building a strong sense of community.

## Materiality and Sustainability
The architectural approach integrates modern aesthetics with traditional influences by utilizing materials such as Western Red Cedar, concrete, gypsum board, and brushed aluminum. These materials not only provide structural integrity and aesthetic appeal but also emphasize sustainability in alignment with Indigenous values. Additionally, the project incorporates solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, and skylights to enhance energy efficiency and support natural resource management. The emphasis on environmental consciousness reflects a commitment to land stewardship and resilience.

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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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