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Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Create a Center for Community Engagement

Author:
Giuseppe Vultaggio
Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Create a Center for Community Engagement

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and cross-laminated timber, the design integrates seamlessly with the landscape to serve as a multifunctional center for community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes rainwater harvesting systems to enhance sustainability.
02
Incorporates charred wooden shingles for improved durability and aesthetic appeal.
03
Features cross-laminated timber panels for efficient structural performance.
04
Integrates pathways that connect natural elements with built spaces.
05
Designed to accommodate multi-functional community gatherings and events.

## Project Overview

Located in the rural Vidzeme region of eastern Latvia, this architectural design integrates contemporary forms with the area's rich natural environment. The project aims to create a harmonious relationship between the built structures and the serene landscape characterized by forests and lakes. It emphasizes community engagement through thoughtful spatial organization that balances private and communal experiences.

### Spatial Configuration and Community Engagement

The design employs a community-oriented approach, strategically positioning various built forms to promote social interaction while respecting the site's natural features. A combination of above-ground and underground facilities optimizes land use and minimizes environmental impact. Key spaces include a "Silence Room" designed for introspection and a vibrant series of above-ground structures that facilitate communal activities. This arrangement fosters both individual reflection and collective gatherings, enhancing the overall user experience.

### Material Selection and Sustainability

Materiality plays a critical role in the project by aligning with sustainability principles while ensuring aesthetic coherence. The use of diverse timber varieties enhances structural integrity and warmth, allowing the buildings to blend into their surroundings. Stone features prominently in the main event space, known as the Stone Barn, establishing a connection to the area's historical context. Large glass openings optimize natural light and visual connections with the landscape, while metal components add a contemporary touch. The project incorporates sustainable practices such as rainwater harvesting, landscape preservation, and energy-efficient designs that further emphasize its commitment to ecological sensitivity.

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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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