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Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Panels Create Integrated Living Spaces in Urban Environment

Author:
Arie Adriaan Heblij
Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Panels Create Integrated Living Spaces in Urban Environment

Project in-detail

Crafted with charred wooden shingles and cross-laminated timber panels, this development seamlessly integrates private terraces and communal gardens to enhance urban living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted with charred wooden shingles, enhancing durability and fire resistance.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and sustainable sourcing.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that optimizes natural light and panoramic views.
04
Includes integrated communal gardens that promote biodiversity and urban ecology.
05
Employs passive solar principles for energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact.

# Vancouver Valley Architectural Design Project Overview

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Vancouver Valley project adopts a sustainable approach to urban architecture, emphasizing community living through an integration of natural elements and modern residential spaces. The design addresses urban density challenges by fostering social interaction, ecological sustainability, and quality of life. It embodies a vision for a community-oriented environment that promotes connectivity among residents while remaining anchored to the local ecosystem.

## Spatial Strategy and Community Engagement

The spatial organization of the project highlights a human-scale design, characterized by organic forms and terraced structures that resonate with Vancouver's topography. This layout facilitates communal activities and encourages interaction among residents, incorporating open walkways and social zones that promote a sense of belonging. Individual residential units are designed with terraces and gardens, providing direct engagement with nature and enhancing recreational opportunities. Communal facilities, such as shared gardens and activity spaces, support social cohesion and foster community relationships.

## Sustainable Materiality and Energy Solutions

The material selection is grounded in principles of sustainability and resilience. Predominantly, wood is utilized for both structural and external finishes, creating a natural aesthetic, while concrete provides strength for foundational elements. Glass elements enhance transparency and daylighting, contributing to the overall ambiance of the interiors. Steel frameworks offer structural support and modern design characteristics.

On the sustainability front, the integration of renewable energy sources and efficient heating systems underscores the project's commitment to minimizing its carbon footprint. Passive solar design strategies are incorporated to optimize energy efficiency, ensuring a functional and environmentally responsive building. Green roofs and terraces not only enhance the quality of the living environment but also support urban biodiversity and ecological benefits.

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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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