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Charred Wooden Shingles and Elevated Solitude Pods in Eco-Friendly Cabins

Author:
Zachary Sargeant
Charred Wooden Shingles and Elevated Solitude Pods in Eco-Friendly Cabins

Project in-detail

Elevated on stilts and finished with charred wooden shingles, these eco-friendly cabins provide versatile solitude pods for outdoor enthusiasts seeking comfort in an immersive natural setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cabins are elevated on stilts to reduce land impact and prevent moisture damage.
02
Charred wooden shingles enhance durability while providing a visually distinct finish.
03
Interior solitude pods allow for flexible sleeping arrangements and privacy.
04
The bent A-frame design optimizes snow runoff and improves structural stability.
05
Sustainably sourced timber minimizes the project's environmental footprint.

### Amber Road Trekking Cabins Project Overview

The Amber Road Trekking Cabins are located in an ecologically sensitive area characterized by scenic wetlands and woodlands. The project comprises two cabins designed to meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts seeking a temporary retreat that encourages interaction with nature. The design draws inspiration from traditional architectural forms, including Lappish 'Kota' structures and Japanese principles of simplicity and harmony, facilitating both solitude and communal interactions among users.

#### Architectural Configuration and Materiality

The cabins feature pitched roofs inclined at 45 degrees, optimized for rainwater runoff and snow load, contributing to a spacious interior feel. Elevated on stilts, the structures minimize landscape disruption and moisture damage. The exterior is clad in sustainably sourced timber, promoting environmental stewardship while providing warmth and aesthetic cohesion with the surroundings. Interior spaces utilize plywood finishes and expansive glazing, enhancing natural light and blurring boundaries between indoor and outdoor environments.

#### User-Centric Spatial Design

The cabins incorporate a versatile floor plan that includes designated "solitude pods," providing privacy through curtain partitions. Shared communal areas are equipped with cooking facilities, dining spaces, and recreational amenities, fostering social interaction among guests. Utility areas feature equipment storage, water purification systems, and waste decomposition units to reflect a commitment to sustainability. Additionally, the interior can be adapted to accommodate varying group sizes and configurations, enhancing the functionality of the space.

Overall, the Amber Road Trekking Cabins effectively integrate thoughtful design elements with user experience and environmental consideration, offering an enriching escape into nature.

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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
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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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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