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Charred Wooden Shingles and Cork Facades Enhance Forest-Integrated Living Space

Authors:
Kanstantsin Remez, Claudio Cristian Araya Arias, Isabell Rosén, Christina Sophia Heck
Charred Wooden Shingles and Cork Facades Enhance Forest-Integrated Living Space

Project in-detail

Crafted with charred wooden shingles and accented by cork facades, the design harmoniously integrates sustainable materials into a forest setting, creating a tranquil residential space that promotes a strong connection to nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and fire resistance.
02
Incorporates cork facades for natural insulation and sound absorption.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that optimizes structural efficiency and aesthetic appeal.
04
Utilizes local materials to minimize ecological footprint and support regional sourcing.
05
Integrates biophilic principles to foster a direct connection between occupants and nature.

### Overview
The kutôk project, located within a dense forest, embodies a contemporary architectural approach centered on sustainability and environmental harmony. The design aims to establish a connection between human habitation and the natural ecosystem, providing an enriching living experience while adhering to modern standards of functionality and comfort.

### Spatial Strategy
The architectural layout features a mirrored U-shape, which optimizes the relationship between private and communal areas. This design enables efficient use of space without extensive partitioning, facilitating fluid movement throughout the home. Interior spaces are intentionally designed for comfort, with the living area incorporating large windows to frame the natural surroundings, while the sleeping nook on the mezzanine offers a unique vantage point for stargazing through a circular window. The integration of external pathways and platforms promotes interaction with the landscape, encouraging occupants to engage with their environment.

### Materiality and Sustainability
The kutôk project emphasizes the use of natural and locally sourced materials, which contribute to both aesthetic appeal and ecological responsibility. Structural components primarily utilize wood to impart warmth and organic qualities, while cork panels provide natural waterproofing and serve as adhesive layers for facades. The foundations are constructed from concrete and metal to ensure structural integrity, and the addition of a vegetated roof enhances insulation and supports local biodiversity. These material choices reflect a commitment to sustainability, ensuring that the building integrates seamlessly with its wooded surroundings while providing functional and elegant design solutions.

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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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