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Celestial Orientation with Charred Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Panels

Author:
Melanie Baron
Celestial Orientation with Charred Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Panels

Project in-detail

Integrating celestial orientation with charred wooden shingles and cross-laminated timber panels, the design offers flexible accommodation that enhances the connection between occupants and the surrounding landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Integrates celestial orientation to optimize natural light and stargazing experiences.
02
Incorporates charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and fire resistance.
03
Utilizes cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and reduced carbon footprint.
04
Features multifunctional communal spaces that promote interaction among guests.
05
Employs a bent A-frame design to harmonize with the surrounding landscape.

### Project Overview

This architectural design explores the interaction between built environments and natural landscapes within a flexible site context that can adapt to various rural or semi-urban settings. It reflects a thoughtful integration of contemporary architectural principles and traditional influences, emphasizing a harmonious relationship between composition, materiality, and functionality.

### Spatial Dynamics

The design concept revolves around the interplay of "void" and "mass," focusing on layered spatial arrangements that engage both "active" and "passive" voids. This dynamic spatial strategy fosters a dialogue between indoor and outdoor environments, while allowing for flexible accommodation solutions, including diverse guest room layouts and shared amenities that promote communal living without sacrificing individual privacy. Additionally, the orientation of the structures highlights views of the night sky, enhancing the connection to the surrounding terrain.

### Material Palette

The choice of materials is both intentional and site-responsive, employing sustainable practices that align with contemporary aesthetic sensibilities. Key materials include:

- **Wood (Various Types)**: Used in natural finishes and structural elements, enhancing warmth and a connection to nature.
- **Fiber Cement Board**: Selected for its durability and versatility, enabling varied textures.
- **Glass (Large Panels)**: Incorporated to facilitate transparency and enhance natural light, creating visual continuity with outdoor spaces.
- **Local Stone Varieties**: Utilized to ground the structures within their environment and convey a sense of permanence.
- **Composite Materials**: Employed for structural components that require a balance of strength and weight.

These materials not only perform functional roles but also contribute to the overall aesthetic narrative, emphasizing lightness, texture, and harmonious integration with the natural setting.

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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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