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Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Panels Form Sustainable Community Hub

Authors:
Alberto Roncelli, Nicole Vettore
Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Panels Form Sustainable Community Hub

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and cross-laminated timber panels, the design creates a resource-efficient hub that fosters community engagement and supports sustainable practices through dedicated workshops and exchange spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles are used for enhanced durability and aesthetic appeal.
02
The structure incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for efficient load-bearing.
03
A bent A-frame design allows for increased interior volume and natural light.
04
Dedicated spaces for material exchange encourage community collaboration.
05
Sustainable features include rainwater harvesting integrated into the design.

### Overview

The Upcycling Hub is located in an urban setting, designed to foster a culture of circularity and sustainability. It aims to provide a physical space for collaborative workshops, resource management, and educational initiatives that enhance community interaction. The design emphasizes adaptive reuse, transforming how communities engage with their resources and promoting environmental stewardship.

### Spatial Organization and User Engagement

The facility's layout is strategically organized to optimize workflow and user accessibility. Designated zones for various material categories—such as glass, metal, wood, and ceramics—facilitate efficient upcycling processes. Community spaces, including meeting rooms, workshops, and social areas, encourage interaction and collaborative learning. Specialized laboratories for research and material experimentation further enhance the hub's role as an incubator for innovation, while the marketplace allows for the exchange and trade of materials, reinforcing economic sustainability within the community.

### Material Selection and Sustainability Features

The Upcycling Hub employs a diverse range of materials, each chosen for its sustainability and functional benefits. Wood serves as a renewable structural element, while expansive glass windows promote natural light and visual connectivity. Durability and flexibility are provided by metal components, and ceramics engage users through hands-on activities. The integration of upcycled materials throughout the design underlines the commitment to circular principles. Eco-friendly systems, including rainwater harvesting and solar panels, are incorporated to further enhance sustainability efforts. Surrounding outdoor gardens serve both as educational resources for sustainable gardening and as tranquil spaces for reflection within the urban environment.

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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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