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Charred Wood Cladding and Expansive Glass Facade Defining A Community Space in An Extreme Climate

Authors:
Marco Ferdinando Galdi, Edward Romano
Charred Wood Cladding and Expansive Glass Facade Defining A Community Space in An Extreme Climate

Project in-detail

Incorporating charred wood cladding and expansive glass facades, the design creates a resilient community space that harmonizes with the harsh climate while fostering interaction among visitors.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates charred wooden shingles for enhanced weather resistance and aesthetic appeal.
02
Features cross-laminated timber panels that provide structural strength and sustainability.
03
Utilizes a bent A-frame design to optimize natural light and panoramic views.
04
Situated to minimize environmental impact and blend with the surrounding landscape.
05
Includes communal areas designed to foster social interaction and community engagement.

### Project Overview

The design is situated in a stark, natural landscape that mirrors the characteristics of Iceland and similar Arctic regions. This structure aims to foster a connection between the built environment and its surroundings through a contemporary approach that responds sensitively to the local context.

### Spatial Dialogue and User Engagement

The project emphasizes the relationship between human activity and the natural environment, highlighting nature's fragility and the need for new pathways in extreme climates. Distinctive angular forms evoke glacial features, reinforcing themes of resilience and adaptability. The layout encourages visitor interaction with the rugged terrain, promoting engagement with the diverse climatic phenomena, including sights such as the aurora borealis. The arrangement of spaces encompasses communal areas and observatories, providing occupants with panoramic views and opportunities for immersive experiences in the remote landscape.

### Materiality and Environmental Considerations

Materials have been selected with an emphasis on transparency, durability, and energy efficiency. Glass panels serve as facades to facilitate natural lighting and frame views of the landscape, while aluminum composite panels provide lightweight, resilient cladding appropriate for the climate. Structural stability is afforded through the use of concrete, and wood may be incorporated in interior finishes to contrast with the modern exterior. The architectural design incorporates sloped surfaces and protective overhangs to mitigate the impacts of harsh weather conditions, demonstrating a strategic approach to environmental adaptation. This focus on sustainable practices is further enhanced through potential passive solar design, optimizing daylight usage while ensuring thermal comfort.

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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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