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Charred Wooden Shingles and Biophilic Design in a Community Gathering Space

Author:
Dougan Phillips
Charred Wooden Shingles and Biophilic Design in a Community Gathering Space

Project in-detail

Crafted with charred wooden shingles and expansive glazing that blurs the lines between interior and exterior, the design serves as a versatile community gathering space, promoting social interaction while harmonizing with its natural surroundings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and fire resistance.
02
Features extensive use of cross-laminated timber panels to promote sustainable construction practices.
03
Utilizes a bent A-frame design to maximize structural efficiency while allowing for open interior spaces.
04
Integrates biophilic elements that foster a connection between occupants and the surrounding landscape.
05
Designed with flexible spaces that can adapt to various community activities and gatherings.

### Overview

Located in De Smet, South Dakota, the Pioneer Tower serves as both an observation point and a center for cultural engagement. Designed to honor the pioneering spirit of 18th and 19th-century settlers, the project merges contemporary design with the historical context of the region, providing visitors with insights into the area's heritage while enhancing their experience of the surrounding landscape.

### Spatial Organization and Visitor Interaction

The architectural layout includes three vertical dividers complemented by a ramp that interconnects various viewing platforms. This configuration allows for a fluid visitor experience as individuals navigate through distinct perspectives of the natural environment. The tower's facade features a grid of metal shingles that invite visitor participation, enabling individuals to personalize elements of the exterior, thus fostering a collective sense of ownership and community connection. Moreover, a central canvas structure operates as both a functional divider and an illuminative surface that projects narratives of De Smet’s history and culture, particularly at night.

### Materiality and Sustainability

The material selection for the Pioneer Tower reflects both aesthetic and practical considerations. A foundational steel framework ensures durability while supporting a modern visual language, while traditional metal shingles enhance the building's engagement with visitors. Stretched waxed canvas serves as a central visual component, providing illumination and transparency. Sustainability is prioritized through the incorporation of solar panels, which power the structure's nighttime lighting while minimizing energy consumption. This approach not only reinforces the tower's role in the community as a source of knowledge and reflection but also reflects a commitment to environmental stewardship.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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