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Charred Wooden Shingles and Brick Facade Enhance Educational Space in Historic Urban Context

Authors:
Ebrahim Abdolah Zadeh, Hooman Talebi
Charred Wooden Shingles and Brick Facade Enhance Educational Space in Historic Urban Context

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and locally sourced brick, the design uniquely integrates modern educational spaces within a historic urban setting, creating a functional hub for community learning and interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles create a unique facade that integrates fire resistance and aesthetic appeal.
02
Cross-laminated timber panels provide structural strength while reducing overall carbon footprint.
03
The bent A-frame design enhances spatial dynamics, allowing for varied ceiling heights within the interior.
04
Public engagement areas are intentionally designed to foster community interaction and collaboration.
05
Sustainable design features include passive heating and cooling strategies that optimize energy efficiency.

### Overview

Located near a former train station, the Internet Museum integrates contemporary design with the historical context of its surroundings. The project emphasizes functionality and community engagement while being strategically responsive to the unique characteristics of the site. It aims to educate the public about the digital realm, fostering an environment that encourages interaction and exploration.

### Spatial Strategy and User Experience

The design promotes permeability while maintaining distinct areas for privacy and focus. It features a public plaza that serves as a vital urban connector, enhancing community interaction. Clear vertical circulation routes improve accessibility, allowing visitors to navigate the museum's various functions with ease. The ground floor includes essential amenities such as the main entrance, lobby, café, and public IT suites, all facilitating visitor flow. The first floor houses seminar rooms and classrooms to support educational initiatives. An outdoor public terrace provides a gathering space that integrates indoor activities with the natural environment.

### Materiality and Environmental Considerations

The project thoughtfully employs materials that both respect the local context and enhance aesthetic appeal. A locally sourced brick is prominently featured, echoing the materiality of neighboring structures, while concrete elements offer durability and modernity. Glass panels enhance transparency in communal areas, inviting engagement. The design also incorporates climate-responsive strategies, such as roof overhangs for passive solar heating and shade, aiming to maximize natural light and reduce energy consumption. The distinct elevations reflect a thoughtful dialogue between old and new, ensuring the existing historical structure remains a focal point while allowing for the introduction of modern architectural elements.

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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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