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Charred Slats and Cross-Laminated Timber in a Compact Quarantine Cabin

Authors:
Michael Salka, Vicente Guallart, Daniel Ibañez
Charred Slats and Cross-Laminated Timber in a Compact Quarantine Cabin

Project in-detail

Constructed from cross-laminated timber and clad in charred slats, the cabin incorporates a biogas system and rainwater collection, offering a self-sufficient living environment designed for a 14-day isolation period.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed entirely from cross-laminated timber, ensuring structural strength and sustainability.
02
Features a biogas system that transforms blackwater into usable fuel and fertilizer.
03
Incorporates rainwater collection and greywater recycling for enhanced resource efficiency.
04
Designed for rapid assembly using pre-fabricated components, minimizing construction time.
05
Clad in charred wooden shingles, creating an organic texture that integrates with the landscape.

The Voxel Quarantine Cabin addresses current health and environmental issues through a clear design strategy. Located in a landscape that supports its purpose, it functions as an independent living space meant for one person needing to isolate for 14 days. The design focuses on sustainability, efficiency, and the smart use of resources, reflecting an understanding of modern ecological architecture.

SUSTAINABILITY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The cabin is built using cross-laminated timber (CLT), which provides strength while promoting environmental awareness. A parametric rainscreen offers protection and improves energy efficiency by carefully managing how the building interacts with the environment. Solar panels with battery storage supply energy for lighting and electronic devices, allowing the cabin to operate independently and minimizing dependence on outside energy sources.

WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

The inclusion of a rooftop garden enhances the local ecosystem and promotes biodiversity in the area. The cabin features systems to collect rainwater and recycle greywater, thus reducing reliance on external water supplies. Additionally, a biogas infrastructure for treating blackwater produces usable fuel and fertilizer, creating a closed-loop system that aligns with principles of sustainable living.

MODULAR CONSTRUCTION AND LOCAL MATERIALS

Efficiency is key in the construction of the cabin, which uses pre-fabrication techniques. All CLT and facade components are made in a workshop and then quickly assembled on-site. This approach not only improves safety and precision but also minimizes the impact on the environment. The use of Aleppo Pine, sourced through careful harvesting practices that support local forest restoration, further emphasizes a commitment to sustainable practices in sourcing materials.

NATURAL INTEGRATION

The design connects the cabin with its surroundings through varied visual elements. Off-cuts from timber fabrication are repurposed as charred slats on the exterior, which helps the building blend into the landscape while adding to its character. This detail highlights an innovative approach and underlines the relationship between the constructed environment and nature, emphasizing the project's focus on sustainable design practices.

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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

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