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Charred Shingles and Steel Framework Creating Community-Centric Living by the Water

Authors:
Camilla Margherita Giussani, Alessandra Introini, Fabio Girelli
Charred Shingles and Steel Framework Creating Community-Centric Living by the Water

Project in-detail

Incorporating charred wooden shingles and a steel framework, the design offers expansive views of the waterfront while maximizing accessibility for senior residents.
5 key facts about this project
01
Integrates therapeutic gardens to promote mental well-being for residents.
02
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced weather resistance and aesthetic appeal.
03
Features a bent A-frame design to maximize natural light and views.
04
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and sustainability.
05
Prioritizes accessible pathways that encourage social interaction among residents.

### Project Overview
Located in Liège, Belgium, the residential complex prioritizes the quality of life for senior citizens through its thoughtful integration of natural elements and emphasis on community interactions. The design integrates building elements in relation to the waterway, creating spaces that promote well-being while addressing the specific needs of elderly residents. This context-sensitive approach enables the structure to respond effectively to its surroundings, enhancing social dynamics and overall lifestyle for its occupants.

### Spatial Configuration and User Experience
The architectural layout features a multi-level design, with the ground floor dedicated to community-oriented amenities such as a therapy garden, outdoor pool, café, and library. This arrangement facilitates direct interaction with the water, encouraging an active and engaged lifestyle among residents. Common spaces are purposefully designed to foster social interaction, incorporating a variety of areas that can adapt to different activities, with options for both shaded and sunlit environments. Personalized living units boast flexible designs, allowing for customization while maintaining connections to communal spaces through private terraces.

### Materiality and Interaction with Nature
The structural framework consists of steel, providing a modern aesthetic alongside durability and stability. This choice allows for expansive open spaces that enhance visual connections with the environment. The design employs wooden boxes for living areas, promoting warmth and inviting atmospheres. Large windows throughout the complex are a key feature, maximizing natural light and creating visual transparency between indoor and outdoor spaces. Additionally, green roofs and community gardens not only enhance aesthetic appeal but also contribute positively to the mental well-being of residents. The building’s close proximity to the water fosters sensory engagement, emphasizing reflections and movement that enrich the architectural experience.

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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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