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Charred Wooden Panels Enhance Community Living Through Sustainable Design

Authors:
Dong Huang, Haiyan Lu, Zhen Chong Liu, Yiping Chen
Charred Wooden Panels Enhance Community Living Through Sustainable Design

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden panels and perforated features, this design creates a cohesive environment that promotes sustainable living within a communal residential setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and aesthetic appeal.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels to improve structural efficiency.
03
Features perforated panels for passive cooling and natural ventilation.
04
Designed with a bent A-frame to optimize space and light distribution.
05
Integrates communal areas to foster social interaction among residents.

### Architectural Design Report: Fusion House

**Overview**

Located in Dubai, Fusion House epitomizes a design approach that prioritizes sustainability and responds to the region's climatic and cultural context. The project aims to meet contemporary living requirements through thoughtful design that merges functional residential spaces with environmental considerations. Key elements of the project include a focus on materiality, communal interaction, and innovative cooling strategies, each contributing to the overall architectural identity of the house.

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#### **Sustainability and Climate Responsiveness**

The architectural design emphasizes passive solar principles to optimize energy efficiency. Strategically oriented to harness Dubai’s abundant sunlight, the layout minimizes reliance on artificial lighting and heating. Windows and openings are positioned to capture natural light while overhangs and shaded areas mitigate heat gain, ensuring thermal comfort throughout the day. The incorporation of solar panels further bolsters the sustainability objectives by utilizing renewable energy resources.

#### **Material Selection and Spatial Configuration**

The materials selected for Fusion House reflect a commitment to ecological impact and aesthetic dialogue between contemporary and traditional influences. Concrete serves as the primary structural element, while extensive use of glass facilitates transparency and visual connection with the surrounding landscape. Perforated panels enhance the façade with shading and ventilation, while also contributing to an engaging visual appeal.

Internally, an open floor plan fosters airflow and natural light, promoting interaction among residents in shared areas like the living room, dining space, and kitchen. Additionally, the design includes communal spaces that encourage social engagement, enhancing the sense of community among residents. The architecture also allows for adaptability, accommodating potential future modifications while preserving the integrity of the initial design.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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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