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Charred Wooden Shingles and Glass Facades Enriching Urban Community Spaces

Author:
Yuchen Ge
Charred Wooden Shingles and Glass Facades Enriching Urban Community Spaces

Project in-detail

Constructed with charred wooden shingles and expansive glass facades, the design fosters a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor environments, serving as a multifunctional space for community engagement and education.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and aesthetics.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels to promote sustainability and structural efficiency.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that maximizes natural light and spatial openness.
04
Includes an integrated greenhouse for urban agriculture and educational programs.
05
Employs modular interior spaces to accommodate diverse community activities.

**Overview**
Located in an urban setting, the Lifecycle project embodies a comprehensive approach to sustainable community design. The project features a main building alongside a garden greenhouse, facilitating a dynamic interplay between indoor and outdoor spaces. The design prioritizes social interaction, environmental awareness, and individual growth, thus enhancing the quality of life for its users while integrating seamlessly into its geographical context.

**Spatial Configuration and User Interaction**
The spatial organization highlights a circular layout for public areas that encourages inclusivity and fosters participation. Key elements, such as multi-functional public spaces for activities and informal gatherings, are strategically positioned to facilitate community engagement. The landscape is carefully designed to complement these spaces, incorporating gardens and interactive areas where residents can participate in horticultural activities and educational workshops. This integration not only promotes environmental sustainability but also builds community ties by encouraging collaborative learning and personal development.

**Materiality and Sustainability**
The material palette reflects a commitment to sustainability and modern architectural practices. Concrete serves as a durable structural element, while glass in the greenhouse maximizes natural light and visibility, reinforcing the connection between users and their environment. Wood is utilized in modular constructions, adding warmth and a tactile quality to the spaces. Steel provides structural robustness, and earthy materials, such as rammed earth and stone, harmonize the project with its natural surroundings, further enhancing the organic feel of the design. This thoughtful selection of materials is aimed at fostering an environment that supports both ecological and social sustainability.

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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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