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Charred Wood Cabin with Rainwater Harvesting in the Himalayas

Authors:
Shefali Balwani, Stuti Murarka, Anton Henrard, Robert Verrijt
Charred Wood Cabin with Rainwater Harvesting in the Himalayas

Project in-detail

A cabin constructed with charred wood and equipped for rainwater harvesting integrates seamlessly into the Himalayan landscape, serving as a self-sufficient living space designed for survival and comfort.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cabin designed with a Y-shaped floor plan for optimal mountain views.
02
Integrates solar panels for energy self-sufficiency.
03
Features a rainwater harvesting system stored in a concealed tank.
04
Constructed using charred wooden shingles for durability.
05
Situated on a Mica rock formation, enhancing eco-integration.

MiCabin is located in the Himalayan Mountains and offers a practical solution for living in a remote and challenging environment. It combines essential comforts with a focus on survival, allowing occupants to engage with the beauty of the surrounding landscape. The design emphasizes functionality and efficient use of space, creating a compact home that responds well to its unique setting.

Design Concept

The Y-shaped floor plan of MiCabin is carefully designed to provide views of three different horizons. It includes important areas such as an entrance, kitchen pantry, master bedroom, foldable deck, living area, and bathroom. This layout prioritizes practical living while keeping comfort in mind, ensuring that the design serves the specific needs of its users in a mountainous setting.

Sustainability Features

Sustainability plays a key role in the design of MiCabin. The roofs are equipped with solar panels that capture sunlight to generate power for the cabin, emphasizing energy efficiency. Additionally, the roofs are designed to gather rainwater, which is stored in a hidden tank within the foundation. This effective water management system ensures that the cabin remains self-sufficient and reduces dependence on external sources.

Material Choices

Charred wooden planks are used throughout the cabin, highlighting both strength and environmental friendliness. This choice of material helps the cabin withstand harsh weather while blending into the natural surroundings. The use of these planks reflects a careful consideration of local conditions, allowing the structure to fit well within the rugged landscape while providing necessary thermal insulation.

The cabin's design integrates solar panels that slope inward, allowing for rainwater collection and contributing to the overall shape of the building. This combination of functionality and aesthetics helps create a living space that is both practical and visually connected to its alpine environment.

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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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