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Charred Wood Shingles and Expansive Glass Facades Define a Contemporary Urban Residence

Author:
Alla Eldin Alim
Charred Wood Shingles and Expansive Glass Facades Define a Contemporary Urban Residence

Project in-detail

Showcasing charred wood shingles and extensive glass facades, the design emphasizes natural light and energy efficiency, ultimately creating a modern urban residence that balances communal living with private retreat spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles are utilized for weather resistance and aesthetic appeal.
02
Cross-laminated timber panels provide structural integrity while reducing environmental impact.
03
A bent A-frame design enhances natural ventilation throughout the residence.
04
The integration of smart home technologies optimizes energy management and user convenience.
05
Native landscaping complements the building's design and promotes local biodiversity.

### Overview

Located in an urban environment, this contemporary residential building features comprehensive layouts across several levels. The design emphasizes sustainability and user-centered living, incorporating passive design strategies to enhance energy efficiency. The intent is to balance functionality and aesthetic appeal, creating a space that meets the demands of modern lifestyles.

### Spatial Organization and Privacy

The design reflects a careful consideration of open spaces while maintaining privacy. Architectural louvers are strategically employed to create a distinct separation between communal and private areas. The ground floor includes living spaces, a kitchen, and service areas arranged to promote connectivity, with designated private zones for enhanced comfort. Following the ground floor, the first floor prioritizes private sleeping quarters and workspaces, providing a master bedroom with en-suite facilities and office areas that support remote work. The upper levels are designated for recreation, featuring a gym and an entertaining terrace, while the roof incorporates sustainable systems such as solar panels and a green roof garden.

### Material Selection

The project features a thoughtfully curated selection of materials that contribute to its structural integrity and visual coherence. Concrete forms the primary structure, ensuring durability, while wood adds warmth through flooring and decorative elements. Glass is utilized extensively for windows and facades to maximize natural light and connect interiors with outdoor spaces. Aluminum framing supports modern aesthetic needs, and terracotta or ceramic tiles are used for both practical flooring in specific areas and thermal regulation. Exterior stone finishes enhance resilience against environmental elements, further solidifying the building’s aesthetic presence within its 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

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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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