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Charred Wood Structures Exploring Occupancy and Interaction in Urban Nightlife

Authors:
Niklas Nalbach, Gilles Muller
Charred Wood Structures Exploring Occupancy and Interaction in Urban Nightlife

Project in-detail

Charred wooden elements create an ephemeral structure that invites interaction and exploration, serving as a multifunctional space for urban nightlife.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden elements enhance authenticity while reflecting themes of occupancy.
02
Modular L-shaped components allow for versatile spatial configurations.
03
The design encourages user interaction through adaptive assembly and disassembly.
04
A central ladder serves both functional and symbolic roles in navigation.
05
The controlled burning process creates unique textures, emphasizing vacancy and potential.

The project explores the development of club culture in Berlin, focusing on the changes that took place after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Situated within a setting marked by the contrast between West and East Berlin, it captures themes of discovery and occupation. The design aims to create a space that reflects the fleeting nature of urban nightlife and encourages communal interactions.

Modular Strategy

A modular approach forms the foundation of the design, dividing the rectangular space into several L-shaped components. These modules are carefully stacked, joined, and arranged against one another to create a vertical structure. This composition conveys a sense of fragility and impermanence, echoing the temporary essence of the nightlife culture. The arrangement not only adds visual interest but also allows for flexible use.

Material and Construction

Wood is the main material used in the construction, specifically in the form of L-shaped elements that overlap. This material choice emphasizes the idea of fragility, enabling a more personal interaction between users and the space. The wooden pieces rely on their own weight and arrangement for stability. This reliance creates a play of light and shadow that adds depth to the spatial experience, enriching the atmosphere.

User Engagement

The design places a strong emphasis on adaptability, allowing users to assemble and disassemble parts of the structure as needed. This feature turns the space from a uniform techno venue into a versatile environment, where it can serve as an outdoor gallery or a comfortable social area. The flexibility encourages meaningful interactions, enhancing the experience of being in the space.

Notable Features

One key aspect of the design is a ladder that emphasizes movement within the environment. This element serves both practical and symbolic functions, inviting users to engage with the architecture in a dynamic way. Additionally, a controlled burning process is applied to the wooden L's, creating charred surfaces that convey a sense of vacancy and the potential for future occupation. This detail enriches the overall sensory experience, leaving a lasting impression.

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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

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