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Charred Wooden Shingles and Glass Facades Define a Sustainable Community Library

Author:
Rick Muyembe
Charred Wooden Shingles and Glass Facades Define a Sustainable Community Library
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Constructed with charred wooden shingles and expansive glass facades, the design prioritizes transparency and sustainability, serving as a community-focused library that invites engagement and fosters a love for reading.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and weather resistance.
02
Features a bent A-frame design that optimizes natural light and airflow.
03
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for structural integrity and sustainability.
04
Includes a modular shelving system that adapts to community needs.
05
Integrates a book exchange box for seamless community engagement.

### Project Overview

Located in an urban area, the Box Books project reimagines the modern library as a community-centric hub that fosters access to literature and promotes environmental awareness. Its design seeks to bridge the gap between community members and literary resources, facilitating engagement with books and enhancing cultural enrichment.

### Architectural Form and User Experience

The architectural expression of Box Books is characterized by a structure that metaphorically resembles an open book, providing an inviting and recognizable form. The southern façade features extensive glass panels, allowing natural light to flood the spacious reading area, termed the "Room Space." This transparency creates an inviting atmosphere, engaging passersby and promoting public interaction with the library's activities. The interior layout encourages communal gatherings, discussions, and workshops, facilitating social interaction and enriching the user experience beyond traditional reading spaces.

### Materials and Sustainability

Material selections play a vital role in both the aesthetics and sustainability of Box Books. The primary materials include solid wood for structural and interior elements, which contributes to a warm environment while promoting eco-friendliness. Glass panels enhance natural light and connectivity with the outdoors, while plywood is utilized for shelving and finishes, supporting a lightweight and modular design. The incorporation of solar panels on the roof emphasizes energy efficiency, supplying sustainable lighting and power for the facility. These material choices not only underscore the library's commitment to environmental stewardship but also ensure that the design is both functional and harmonious with its surroundings.

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Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
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The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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100,000€ Prize / 2025

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

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge

AIA (American Institute of Architects) invites you to design affordable housing in Denver

Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 18 September 2025

Recurring architecture competitions

The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 18 September 2025
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
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Early bird registration deadline 2 October 2025
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Advance registration deadline 9 October 2025
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Prize Monetary award
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Early bird registration deadline 15 October 2025
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Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 16 October 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025
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Final registration deadline 13 November 2025
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Final registration deadline 27 November 2025

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