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Charred Wooden Shingles and Modular Layouts Creating Interconnected Living Spaces

Authors:
Bianca Alexandra Gavrila, George Stanescu, Emilia Stanescu, Teodora Anda Capra-Robescu
Charred Wooden Shingles and Modular Layouts Creating Interconnected Living Spaces

Project in-detail

Combining charred wooden shingles with modular layouts, this design fosters interconnected living experiences that encourage community interaction while allowing for individual customization.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and aesthetic appeal.
02
Features flexible modular layouts that adapt to residents' changing needs.
03
Utilizes cross-laminated timber panels to reduce construction time and improve sustainability.
04
Includes communal gardens designed to foster social interaction among residents.
05
Embraces a bent A-frame design that optimizes natural light and space utilization.
The project titled "Encountering in Between" represents a thoughtful exploration of contemporary living arrangements within the framework of Chinese culture, addressing the dual aspects of individual lifestyle and communal interaction. This architectural endeavor is designed to facilitate a harmonious blend of private spaces and social hubs, embodying the evolving dynamics of urban living. The design promotes community resilience while catering to the diverse needs of its inhabitants, ensuring that both privacy and social connectivity are prioritized.

Functionally, this architectural project introduces a modular housing scheme that encourages flexibility and personalization. Each housing unit is based on a 5x5 meter square module, allowing residents to adapt their living spaces according to their preferences while maintaining a coherent community structure. The arrangement of these modules in a grid pattern fosters a sense of belonging without sacrificing individual identity. The design features community corridors that serve as arteries of social interaction, enabling residents to navigate the space easily while engaging with one another in shared areas.

Significant aspects of the architectural design include the thoughtful integration of communal spaces, which are crucial for social gatherings and activities. The presence of community gardens within the project encourages residents to interact with nature and one another, enhancing overall well-being and social cohesion. These gardens act as communal retreats that benefit both individual residents and the collective community, promoting sustainable practices through urban greening.

Unique design approaches characterized in this project include the concept of flexible plotting that accommodates potential future densification. This forward-thinking aspect allows for the development to respond to demographic changes and evolving community needs over time. The design recognizes the importance of adaptability, ensuring the housing scheme can grow and shift alongside its residents, further enhancing the sense of community.

Moreover, the architectural elements highlight a balance between privacy and communal living. Each modular unit is carefully designed to allow for varying degrees of privacy while still providing access to communal spaces. This "in-between" quality of design is central to the project’s ethos, promoting both personal retreat and social gathering. The focus on pathways and community interaction further facilitates an organic flow throughout the development, encouraging residents to engage with their surroundings meaningfully.

The use of potential building materials such as concrete, glass, and wood supports the architectural vision of blending form and function with sustainability in mind. Concrete offers structural integrity while glass introduces transparency and light, creating an inviting atmosphere. Wood can serve to add warmth and a sense of nature within the living spaces, contributing to both aesthetics and comfort.

Overall, "Encountering in Between" exemplifies a careful synthesis of architectural ideas that addresses the complexities of modern living in an urban context. By revitalizing traditional Chinese residential concepts and intertwining them with contemporary needs, the project embarks on a journey towards fostering resilient, interactive neighborhoods. Readers are encouraged to delve deeper into the project presentation to explore architectural plans, sections, and further design details that illuminate the project's comprehensive vision and its potential impact on community living in urban surroundings.
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MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
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Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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