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Charred Wood Shingles and Communal Gardens Uniting Seniors in Thoughtful Living Environment

Author:
Tarique Katuntu
Charred Wood Shingles and Communal Gardens Uniting Seniors in Thoughtful Living Environment

Project in-detail

Incorporating charred wood shingles and expansive communal gardens, this residential complex promotes social engagement among seniors while providing individual living spaces designed for comfort and accessibility.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles enhance fire resistance while providing an aesthetic texture.
02
Communal gardens are designed to encourage social interaction among residents.
03
Cross-laminated timber panels improve structural efficiency and sustainability.
04
The bent A-frame design maximizes interior space and promotes natural ventilation.
05
Accessible pathways connect personal units with shared amenities for ease of movement.

### Overview

Located in Harkány, Pécs, Hungary, the **Senior Next Door** residential project addresses the needs of the aging population by facilitating community integration and social engagement. The design balances individual privacy with communal spaces, aiming to recreate a familiar neighborhood environment that promotes comfort and support for its residents.

### Spatial Configuration and User Experience

The residential layout consists of individual units organized around shared communal areas, promoting interaction while maintaining distinct identities for each unit. The design utilizes varied shapes and colors to enhance individuality and visual appeal, encouraging a sense of belonging. Dedicated green spaces between clusters serve as communal parks or gardens, enabling outdoor activities and social gatherings.

Pathways connect the residential units with accessible routes, reducing distances and creating inviting circulation flows that encourage residents to engage with shared spaces. Each unit is tailored for comfort and lifestyle preferences, enhancing the overall user experience within the community.

### Materiality and Aesthetics

Material selection prioritizes both aesthetic qualities and functionality. Wood accents contribute warmth, while concrete ensures structural stability and minimalist design. Expansive glass window systems foster natural light and connectivity to the surrounding landscape, further enhancing the inviting atmosphere.

The vibrant colors of the façades promote visual diversity while maintaining a cohesive community feel. This combination of earthy tones with bright highlights reflects both unity and individuality, ensuring a harmonious relationship with the natural environment and local context.

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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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
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Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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