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Charred Wood and Natural Stone Blend in a Historic Restoration for Modern Living

Authors:
Camila Urena Peña, Raul Ricardo Martinez Sanchez
Charred Wood and Natural Stone Blend in a Historic Restoration for Modern Living

Project in-detail

Charred wood and natural stone harmonize within a historically restored structure, providing a functional and contemporary family living space that respects its heritage.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles are used to enhance durability while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
02
The design incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and thermal insulation.
03
An open staircase maximizes vertical space, promoting airflow and natural light.
04
The central courtyard serves as a multifunctional outdoor living area, bridging indoor and outdoor spaces.
05
Historical preservation efforts maintain original building elements while accommodating modern functionality.

**Overview**

Located within a 200-year-old building, HF House exemplifies the integration of historical preservation with modern living requirements. This project responds to contemporary lifestyle needs while upholding the integrity of the original structure. It aims to restore functionality and aesthetic appeal through thoughtful architectural interventions, ensuring that the character of the existing edifice is respected and enhanced.

**Spatial Configuration and Layout**

HF House is organized across three levels—ground, first, and second—covering a total area of 66 square meters. The ground floor is designed for essential living functions, comprising an entrance, powder room, living room, kitchen-dining space, and a patio that emphasizes connectivity with the outdoor environment. The upper levels are dedicated to private areas, including bedrooms and bathrooms, with attention given to natural light and ventilation. Vertical connections through open stair shafts contribute to the overall spatial dynamics, allowing light to flow throughout the interior.

**Material Selection and Sustainability Considerations**

The material palette for HF House merges contemporary choices with traditional elements. The primary structural framework utilizes reinforced concrete and steel beams, enabling open interior spaces. Exterior finishes include lime plaster, which mirrors historical textures while providing durability against the elements. Interior spaces feature natural stone flooring for elegance and continuity, alongside extensive use of glass to enhance light infiltration and visual connectivity with the outdoors. Additionally, sustainable design principles are evident, with considerations for green roofs that may enhance ecological balance and energy efficiency.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
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MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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