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Charred Wooden Shingles and Glass Facades Create a Harmonious Living Space

Author:
Riccardo Bassi
Charred Wooden Shingles and Glass Facades Create a Harmonious Living Space

Project in-detail

Charred wooden shingles and expansive glass walls blend seamlessly to create a residential space that emphasizes sustainability while fostering an unobstructed connection to the surrounding landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles enhance durability while providing a unique textural contrast.
02
Cross-laminated timber panels offer structural strength and reduce carbon footprint.
03
The bent A-frame design optimizes interior volume and maximizes natural light.
04
Extensive use of glass fosters transparency and connectivity with the outdoor landscape.
05
Landscaped gardens integrate seamlessly with the architectural form, promoting biodiversity.

### Overview
Located within a context that bridges contemporary living and natural landscapes, the design explores the intersection of residential architecture and ecological sustainability, drawing inspiration from Japanese origami and the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. The intent is to establish a distinctive identity for residential spaces while fostering a deep connection with the environment. The design emphasizes adaptability and fluidity, effectively integrating indoor and outdoor elements while challenging conventional architectural boundaries.

### Materiality and Aesthetics
The project adopts a diverse palette of materials that serve both functional and aesthetic purposes. Engineered wood is utilized for its warmth and sustainability, forming the backbone of the façade while contributing to thermal insulation. Corten steel introduces a tactile element, evolving over time to reflect the surrounding landscape's complexity. Extensively used glass maximizes natural light and creates transparency, enhancing the relationship between the interior spaces and their environmental context. Marble accents in key areas provide durability and a refined aesthetic, while concrete is employed for its strength as a foundational element and functional outdoor surfaces.

### Spatial Dynamics
The architectural form is characterized by sharp angles and geometric patterns that embody the principles of origami, allowing for a variety of spatial experiences. The design includes articulated shapes that facilitate distinct functions, creating areas conducive to both communal interactions and private retreats. Outdoor integration is prioritized with landscaped gardens and open green spaces that promote outdoor living and ecological awareness. The carefully designed layout supports versatility, allowing spaces to adapt to shifting lifestyle needs, thereby enhancing the overall user experience.

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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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