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Charred Wooden Shingles and Geothermal Systems Enhancing Community Farming Experience

Authors:
Jihyuk Choi, Minjeong Song
Charred Wooden Shingles and Geothermal Systems Enhancing Community Farming Experience

Project in-detail

Incorporating charred wooden shingles and an advanced geothermal heating system, the design creates a seamless integration of sustainable practices and community engagement within a functional farm-to-table restaurant.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates a unique rainwater harvesting system that supports onsite irrigation.
02
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and fire resistance.
03
Features a geothermal heating system for efficient climate control.
04
Includes dedicated hydroponics and aquaponics areas for educational purposes.
05
Designed with a bent A-frame structure to maximize natural light and views.

The Pitchfork Farm & Restaurant is an architectural project that integrates agricultural practices with culinary experiences. Located in a rural setting, this design emphasizes sustainability, community engagement, and the educational aspects of food production. The structure promotes a symbiotic relationship between its operations and the surrounding landscape, showcasing a modern yet practical approach to farm-to-table dining.

The architecture consists of interconnected volumes designed to facilitate various activities, including dining, farming, and community interaction. This configuration allows for flexibility and maximizes natural light and views of the landscape through extensive glazing. The use of durable materials such as concrete, glass, wood, and steel enhances the building's performance and aesthetic appeal. Each material plays a vital role in temperature regulation and the overall functionality of the farm and restaurant.

Sustainable Design Features

One of the key aspects of the Pitchfork Farm & Restaurant is its incorporation of sustainable design strategies. The building employs thermal mass principles to manage indoor climate effectively, utilizing concrete for its heat-retaining properties. The roof design integrates a rainwater harvesting system, supporting irrigation in agricultural areas and reducing reliance on external water sources. Additionally, geothermal heating is utilized to provide an energy-efficient climate system. These elements exemplify contemporary strategies for sustainability within architectural design.

Community-Centric Spaces

Central to this project is its role as a focal point for community engagement. The design includes multipurpose areas for dining, educational workshops, and farmer's markets. This versatility encourages public participation and interaction with local agricultural practices. Particular attention has been paid to the layout to ensure seamless transitions between spaces, facilitating a nurturing atmosphere for education and socialization.

The Pitchfork Farm & Restaurant stands out for its thoughtful integration of agricultural processes into the overall design, marrying function and aesthetic quality. The product of converging architectural innovation, local ecology, and community participation, this project encourages a deeper understanding of the relationship between food systems and the built environment. For additional detailed insights into its architectural plans, sections, designs, and ideas, exploring the full project presentation is recommended.

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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
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MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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