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Charred Wooden Shingles and Local Stone Create A Community Refuge in the Himalayas

Authors:
Emilien Epale, Aurélien Millefiori, Anthony Micoud
Charred Wooden Shingles and Local Stone Create A Community Refuge in the Himalayas

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and local stone, the design integrates seamlessly with the Himalayan landscape, providing a multi-functional refuge for trekkers that emphasizes sustainability and community interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using locally sourced stone and charred wooden shingles, enhancing durability.
02
Features a flexible layout that accommodates both communal and private spaces for users.
03
Incorporates passive solar heating through strategically placed windows and thermal mass.
04
Utilizes cross-laminated timber panels for construction, promoting sustainability and efficiency.
05
Designed with a bent A-frame shape, reflecting the surrounding mountain landscape.

**Overview**

"The Walk" is located in the Himalayan region of Nepal, designed as a refuge for trekkers navigating this challenging environment. The project aims to provide not only shelter but also a cultural and communal space that enhances the trekking experience. It fosters a deep connection with the surrounding landscape, recognizing that trekking serves as both a physical journey and a cultural exploration of the Himalayas.

**Spatial Strategy**

The design features a flexible accommodation layout that supports both individual and group needs. Configurations are adaptable to promote shared and private experiences, with common areas placed to encourage social interactions among users. A hierarchy of spaces is established, centering around the kitchen—the heart of the refuge—which facilitates gatherings. Private cabins offer rest for trekkers, while large windows frame views of the landscape, inviting occupants to engage with the scenic beauty and enhancing the internal environment through natural light.

**Materiality and Sustainability**

The material selection prioritizes sustainability and local context. Stone forms the primary structural walls, providing thermal mass and durability against harsh climatic conditions. Interior finishes utilize wood, adding warmth and inviting textures that contrast with the rugged stone exterior. Extensive glazing enhances illumination and fosters a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Steel is incorporated in certain structural elements for stability, ensuring resilience while maintaining aesthetic coherence. The building’s design reflects the surrounding topography, with geometric forms that harmonize with the landscape, promoting environmental integration and minimizing disruption to the natural setting.

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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
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