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Charred Wooden Shingles and Glass Façades Create Cohesive Community Living Solution

Authors:
Mykola Halimov, Oleksandr Sukhomudrenko, Alexey Semenov
Charred Wooden Shingles and Glass Façades Create Cohesive Community Living Solution

Project in-detail

With an innovative blend of charred wooden shingles and expansive glass façades, the design offers a modern solution for community living that promotes sustainability and adaptability within an urban landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles, enhancing durability while promoting fire resistance.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and sustainability.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that optimizes space and energy efficiency.
04
Integrates extensive greenery through green roofs, supporting local biodiversity.
05
Designed with a modular approach, allowing for easy adaptability and future expansion.
The Sydney Puzzle Houses project emerges as a thoughtful architectural response to the growing challenges of housing affordability in urban settings. This design represents a modern interpretation of modular living, where flexibility and functionality are essential. The project aims to address these needs by creating a residential environment that not only serves its inhabitants but also enriches the surrounding community.

At its core, the project emphasizes a modular housing concept, where individual units serve as interchangeable components within a larger framework. This design approach allows for adaptability in both the spatial configuration and the layout of the community, catering to diverse family sizes and lifestyles. The flexibility inherent in the architecture promotes an organic evolution, enabling residents to modify their living space as their needs change over time.

The primary purpose of the Sydney Puzzle Houses is to provide affordable housing solutions that maintain a high quality of life. Each unit is designed to maximize natural light and ventilation, contributing to a pleasant living environment regardless of size. This is achieved through the careful arrangement of large glass panels that not only enhance visibility and connection with the outdoors but also reduce energy consumption associated with artificial lighting.

Key details of the design include a thoughtful combination of materials that embody both durability and aesthetic appeal. The use of concrete as a foundational element ensures structural integrity, while elements of steel contribute to the robustness needed for a modular system. Warm wood accents are incorporated into the interiors to create an inviting atmosphere, balancing the industrial qualities of concrete and steel. Furthermore, landscaped terraces and green roofs not only beautify the project but also foster sustainable practices, promoting biodiversity and reducing the urban heat island effect commonly associated with dense urban areas.

The community orientation of the Sydney Puzzle Houses is one of its most compelling aspects. The design prioritizes shared spaces including gardens, playgrounds, and communal lounges, encouraging social interactions among residents. These common areas are strategically placed to facilitate accessibility while providing a comfortable setting for both relaxation and recreation. This focus on community living serves to enhance the overall experience of the residents, fostering a sense of belonging that is often lacking in traditional high-density housing developments.

Unique to this project is its emphasis on ecological sustainability as a core principle of design. The integration of greenery throughout the complex not only improves air quality but also creates a visually appealing environment. The project's commitment to sustainability is evident in the choice of materials and landscaping, reflecting a modern understanding of how architecture can coexist harmoniously with nature. By incorporating passive solar design elements, the project further demonstrates its commitment to energy efficiency, making it not just a place to live, but a model of responsible living.

As urban development continues to evolve, the Sydney Puzzle Houses project stands as a testament to the potential of thoughtful architecture to address contemporary housing challenges. The unique modular approach offers a viable solution to financial constraints while championing the importance of community, sustainability, and quality living. Readers interested in diving deeper into the architectural plans, section details, and design ideas of this project are encouraged to explore the full presentation for a comprehensive understanding of how these elements come together in the Sydney Puzzle Houses.
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MICROHOME
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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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