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Charred Wooden Shingles and Biobased Materials in a Modular Urban Habitat

Authors:
Maximilien Remondière, Guillaume Parlanti
Charred Wooden Shingles and Biobased Materials in a Modular Urban Habitat

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and biobased materials, the modular structure offers adaptable living solutions that prioritize sustainability and community interaction in an urban setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular units allow for easy reconfiguration to meet changing resident needs.
02
Utilizes low impact screw piles to minimize environmental disruption.
03
Charred wooden shingles provide enhanced durability and fire resistance.
04
Integrates biobased materials to reduce carbon footprint in construction.
05
Design encourages communal living while maintaining individual privacy through strategic layout.

### Project Overview

Located in an urban context, the architectural design employs a robust modular building system aimed at addressing contemporary housing challenges. This project prioritizes efficient spatial organization while emphasizing sustainability, resulting in a design that promotes community resilience and affordability in housing.

### Flexible Spatial Configuration

The core design concept centers on a modular space unit that can be tailored for various uses. A catalog of components facilitates easy assembly and customization to meet user preferences, enabling long-term adaptability. The structural configuration allows for efficient use of space, with base modules measuring 2.5 x 3 x 5.4 meters (12.5 square meters), suitable for both communal living and individual privacy. The system’s flexibility accommodates changing family dynamics, allowing inhabitants to modify their living environments without extensive renovations.

### Material Choices and Sustainability

Material selection is integral to the design’s implementation. Key materials include:

1. **Timber**: Utilized for structural components, ensuring lightweight strength and sustainability.
2. **Biobased materials**: Selected for their environmental benefits and low carbon footprint.
3. **Low-impact screw piles**: Employed to support the structure while minimizing ground disruption.
4. **Reusable elements**: Designed to facilitate future modifications, extending the life of the building.
5. **Transparent glass**: Used in doors and windows to enhance natural light and create a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.

These choices reflect a commitment to eco-friendly construction practices, aiming to create sustainable living environments that align with modern lifestyle demands. The project's emphasis on affordability and self-sufficiency, particularly through the use of low-cost materials, offers viable solutions to housing issues, especially for underserved communities.

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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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