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Charred Wooden Shingles and Local Stone Create Resilient Shelter in High-Altitude Terrain

Authors:
Lusan Nakarmi, Roshan Kumar Gho Shrestha, Soval Krishna Nyachhyon, Suraj Maharjan
Charred Wooden Shingles and Local Stone Create Resilient Shelter in High-Altitude Terrain

Project in-detail

Employing locally sourced stone and charred wooden shingles, the design offers a robust and thermally efficient shelter for trekkers navigating the challenges of high-altitude environments.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes locally sourced stone and charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability in extreme weather.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for efficient thermal insulation.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that optimizes structural performance and snow shedding.
04
Designed to accommodate up to 20 trekkers, promoting communal living in a high-altitude context.
05
Emphasizes sustainability through the use of regional materials and environmentally sensitive construction methods.

### Project Overview

Located at the Paldor base camp in the Dhading district of Nepal, the Himalayan Mountain Hut serves to enhance the mountaineering experience by providing essential shelter for trekkers and guides. The design integrates modern technologies and sustainable practices while responding to the challenging high-altitude environment. Capable of accommodating up to 20 occupants, the structure is designed for adaptability, allowing replication in diverse locations within the Himalayan region.

### Spatial Configuration and User Experience

The hut's layout emphasizes functionality and comfort, featuring private bedrooms, a reception area, and a communal dining hall, promoting social interaction among guests. Bunk beds in the sleeping areas optimize space for multiple occupants. Large windows and strategically placed openings are employed to maximize natural light and ventilation, creating a welcoming atmosphere while reducing reliance on artificial lighting. The communal dining hall, furnished with locally sourced materials, encourages a sense of community among visitors.

### Materiality and Sustainability

Local stone and wood are key materials in the construction, offering durability and thermal mass essential for maintaining a stable indoor climate. The use of natural materials ensures a connection with the environment, while the architectural form adapts to the mountainous terrain, featuring sloped roofs that facilitate snow management. Sustainable practices are prioritized throughout, with an emphasis on minimizing the carbon footprint and respecting local building traditions through the use of materials such as bamboo and clay.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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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