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Charred Wooden Shingles and Expansive Glass Embrace Nature in a Family Residence

Author:
Kamil Piotr Domachowski
Charred Wooden Shingles and Expansive Glass Embrace Nature in a Family Residence

Project in-detail

Using charred wooden shingles and expansive glass, the design integrates seamlessly with its forest surroundings, creating a family residence that prioritizes natural light and connection to the outdoor environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles enhance durability and aesthetic appeal while minimizing maintenance.
02
Cross-laminated timber panels provide structural strength with reduced carbon footprint.
03
The bent A-frame design promotes natural ventilation and solar gain throughout the year.
04
Large glass facades create continuous visual connections with the surrounding forest.
05
Integrated landscaping complements the architectural form and supports local ecology.

### Project Overview
Located in the residential district of Galanta, Slovakia, the Open to the Forest House occupies a 6000 m² site with a 250 m² footprint. The design integrates contemporary principles with the surrounding forest, reflecting a commitment to harmonizing residential living with natural landscapes. The primary objective is to foster a connection between inhabitants and their environment through thoughtful architectural decisions.

### Spatial Strategy
The layout emphasizes fluidity and interaction, featuring an open floor plan that encourages family gatherings while maintaining privacy within essential spaces such as bedrooms and bathrooms. Communal areas, including the kitchen and main living room, are interconnected with dining spaces, promoting social engagement. The design prioritizes views of the forest through large glass panels that facilitate natural light entry and provide expansive vistas, effectively blurring the boundary between indoor and outdoor environments.

### Materiality and Sustainability
The exterior employs a material palette predominantly of wood and glass, enhancing ecological sensitivity while reflecting modern aesthetics. The warm wooden cladding harmonizes the structure with its natural setting, while the dual-pitched roof connects to traditional forms within a contemporary framework. Landscaping features undulating topography, fostering interaction with the surroundings and supporting sustainable practices by managing stormwater. Internally, strategically placed windows optimize natural lighting, minimizing reliance on artificial sources during daylight hours, further reinforcing the structure’s ecological integrity.

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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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