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Charred Wood Enclosure Emphasizing Community Integration and Sustainable Living

Author:
Anna Rita Emili
Charred Wood Enclosure Emphasizing Community Integration and Sustainable Living

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wood for enhanced durability and natural water management systems, the design integrates modular living units with communal courtyards to promote sustainable community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wood for enhanced weather resistance and aesthetic appeal.
02
Incorporates efficient rainwater harvesting systems integrated into building design.
03
Features modular configurations that accommodate community expansion needs.
04
Central courtyards designed to facilitate communal gardening and social interaction.
05
Employs cross-laminated timber panels to reduce construction time and improve sustainability.

## Project Overview
The Fractal Village housing project is an architectural initiative focused on the interaction between interior and exterior spaces. It employs mathematical principles derived from the Cantor set to explore enclosure concepts that define the transitions between private, communal, and public areas. This design approach supports scalability and adaptability, making it suitable for varied spatial needs while ensuring a cohesive architectural identity.

## Structural and Spatial Organization
The layout draws inspiration from fractal geometry, resulting in a modular design where each housing unit reflects the overall composition. This structure allows for configurations ranging from 64 to 4096 apartments. Central courtyards serve as communal areas, promoting social interaction among residents and incorporating gardens that contribute to sustainable living practices. This organization fosters a sense of community while responding to residents' spatial requirements.

## Material Selection and Environmental Integration
Material choices prioritize sustainability and functionality. Key materials include cold-formed steel for structural integrity, timber for external cladding to contrast with the structural framework, concrete to provide thermal mass and energy efficiency, and glass to enhance natural lighting. Additional features include sophisticated water management systems within each unit that facilitate rainwater harvesting and purification, addressing environmental challenges such as flooding. Furthermore, the integration of agricultural elements within the courtyards supports self-sustainability, promoting an environment that harmonizes architecture with nature.

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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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