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Charred Wooden Shingles and Brickwork Create a Harmonious Living Space in Modern Residential Design

Authors:
Ching Hei Adrian Lee, Chenlei Ma, William Guan, Yu Feng
Charred Wooden Shingles and Brickwork Create a Harmonious Living Space in Modern Residential Design

Project in-detail

Combining charred wooden shingles and structured brickwork, the design offers a contemporary living environment that emphasizes sustainability and community interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Built with charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and weather resistance.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels to optimize spatial efficiency and sustainability.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that maximizes natural light and ventilation.
04
Integrates communal outdoor spaces designed to foster community interaction.
05
Utilizes locally sourced materials to minimize environmental impact and support regional craftsmanship.

### Overview

Located within a contemporary urban context, the design aims to create a residential environment that incorporates traditional Middle Eastern influences alongside modern architectural principles. The project emphasizes warmth, inclusivity, and adaptability, fostering a sense of community while providing personal spaces for its residents.

### Spatial Organization

#### General Layout

The residential layout spans multiple floors to optimize function and circulation. The ground floor is dedicated to communal areas, including an entrance, garage, family living room, guest rooms, and kitchen and dining spaces, all designed to enhance interaction. Upper levels prioritize privacy through bedrooms and workspaces, while maintaining a cohesive flow that encourages both communal gatherings and individual retreat. Pathways throughout the space create clear navigational routes, reminiscent of natural landscapes.

1. **Ground Floor**
- Main Entrance
- Garage
- Family Living Room
- Guest Rooms and Washrooms
- Kitchen and Dining Areas

2. **First Floor**
- Master Bedroom with En-Suite Bathroom
- Additional Bedrooms
- Den

3. **Roof Plan**
- Designated areas for outdoor activities and potential expansions.

### Materiality

The project employs a diverse range of materials to achieve both aesthetic appeal and environmental sustainability:

- **Brick**: Utilized in exterior walls for stability and insulation.
- **Steel**: Provides structural integrity and design flexibility.
- **Wood**: Introduces warmth and texture, featured in beams and interior finishes.
- **Stucco**: Enhances durability and visual interest on façades.
- **Glass**: Maximizes natural light while promoting connections to outdoor spaces.
- **Granite and Quartz**: Chosen for countertops, these materials combine elegance with low maintenance.
- **Aluminum**: Used for functional elements such as window frames and railings.

The strategic selection of materials not only addresses the climate's demands but also reflects a design philosophy rooted in traditional architectural practices.

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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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