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Charred Wood Facade and Triple-Glazed Windows in Compact Urban Home

Author:
Natascha Fischer
Charred Wood Facade and Triple-Glazed Windows in Compact Urban Home

Project in-detail

With a charred wood facade and triple-glazed windows, this compact urban home integrates sustainable features such as solar panels and rainwater collection, offering a functional living space in a limited footprint.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wood facade enhances durability while providing a unique aesthetic.
02
Triple-glazed windows improve energy efficiency and sound insulation.
03
Integrated solar panels support off-grid living capabilities.
04
Compact layout optimizes space for multifunctional use.
05
Rainwater collection system minimizes resource consumption.

Micro Home 2019 offers a fresh take on compact living by focusing on efficiency and sustainability within a small space. Located in an urban environment, the residence addresses the needs of modern life, balancing essential daily functions with a design that connects well with its surroundings. The design aims to blend public and private spaces, allowing for easy movement and comfort throughout the home.

Spatial Organization

The layout carefully organizes functional areas for storage, a WC/shower, sleeping, cooking, and living/working. Each zone serves a specific purpose, making the most of the limited area available. This thoughtful arrangement facilitates smooth circulation, allowing occupants to move effortlessly between different sections of the home.

Natural Light and Views

Natural light is a crucial aspect of the design. The building’s elevations have been positioned to maximize sunlight, particularly with the east elevation, which captures morning light. This feature enhances the interior environment, creating a bright and inviting space that encourages a connection to the outdoor surroundings.

Sustainability Features

Sustainability is integrated into the home through the use of energy systems like solar panels and rainwater collection. These elements reflect an effort to minimize the environmental impact of the home. By using renewable resources, the design enhances functionality and meets the demand for environmentally friendly living.

Construction and Materials

Construction details reveal a thoughtful design approach with multiple layers that contribute to the overall performance. The roof includes features such as a solar panel, composting toilet, and heating system. Materials mentioned include wood panels and wood Shou Sugi Ban, which serve both structural and visual purposes. Aluminium frame windows with triple insulated glazing provide thermal efficiency and noise reduction, enhancing the home's durability.

The final design incorporates outdoor spaces that enhance the connection to nature, allowing for easy interaction between indoor and outdoor environments.

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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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