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Charred Wooden Shingles and Light-Steel Frames in Versatile Urban Residences

Authors:
Chung-yuan Huang, Hsin-yu Huang, Cheng-yang Tsai
Charred Wooden Shingles and Light-Steel Frames in Versatile Urban Residences

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and a light-steel frame, the residence redefines urban living through its adaptive design and sustainable materials, providing a flexible home that responds to environmental challenges.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and fire resistance.
02
Incorporates a light-steel frame for structural flexibility and reduced weight.
03
Features an integrated water collection system for efficient resource management.
04
Employs permeable bricks to minimize stormwater runoff and flooding risks.
05
Arranges multiple courtyards to foster community interaction and natural ventilation.

## Overview
"Resilient Habitat" is situated in a desert region of the Arab world, addressing both environmental challenges and cultural heritage through innovative architectural strategies. The design integrates sustainable practices with traditional Arab architectural elements, creating a dwelling that adapts to varying climatic conditions while promoting a sense of community. The intent is to develop a flexible living environment that reflects both modern technological advancements and the historical context of its location.

## Spatial Strategy and User Experience
The design emphasizes flexibility and mobility, allowing the residence to accommodate diverse lifestyles and functions. By creating spaces that prioritize both privacy and communal interaction, the layout features courtyards and arcades that serve as semi-public zones. This arrangement fosters social cohesion in alignment with cultural norms. The use of light steel structures minimizes noise intrusion and enhances air quality, supporting a comfortable living environment that adapts to external conditions.

### Materiality and Sustainability
The material selection is closely aligned with the regional climate and cultural practices. Key materials include precast concrete planters for vegetation integration, a light-steel-frame structure for adaptability, and solar panels for energy self-sufficiency. Additional features such as permeable bricks facilitate stormwater management, while static electricity and dust-blocking facades improve indoor air quality. The incorporation of traditional Mashrabiyya patterns not only provides aesthetic continuity with Islamic architecture but also enhances privacy.

Innovative microclimate experiments refine the functionality of outdoor spaces, combining energy-efficient systems with thoughtful design to maintain comfortable interior conditions. Overall, the project’s structural framework enables future expansion, allowing for adaptability as family needs evolve, thereby ensuring the longevity and relevance of the residence.

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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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