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Charred Wooden Shingles and Natural Light Define Flexible Residential Living Spaces

Authors:
Jacob Kackley, Mark Millhollon
Charred Wooden Shingles and Natural Light Define Flexible Residential Living Spaces

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and expansive glass elements, the design creates adaptable living spaces that encourage community interaction while effectively integrating sustainability into modern residential life.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles enhance durability while providing a visually distinct facade.
02
Cross-laminated timber panels facilitate rapid construction and improve insulation.
03
The bent A-frame design allows for maximum natural light and spatial efficiency.
04
Flexible living areas support diverse family needs and evolving lifestyles.
05
Integrated communal spaces foster neighborly interactions and community engagement.

The project known as "The Program House" offers an innovative approach to residential architecture by emphasizing flexibility and adaptability in living spaces. Designed to accommodate the evolving needs of its inhabitants, this project reflects a contemporary understanding of how architecture can improve quality of life through thoughtful design.

The Program House uses modular design principles that allow various sections of the home to serve distinct functions. These sections can easily transform as family dynamics change, catering to different lifestyles over time. By moving away from traditional layouts centered around static uses, this design supports both individual privacy and community interaction.

Flexible Living Spaces

One of the defining features of The Program House is its focus on creating living spaces that cater to diverse life stages. The layout includes separate "vessels" for specific functions: areas for sleeping, studying, and communal gathering. Each vessel is distinct yet interconnected, promoting a sense of community while allowing for personal retreat. The intelligent spatial arrangement facilitates social interactions within the home, as well as with neighbors, enhancing overall community engagement.

Sustainable Material Usage

The architecture prioritizes sustainability through the careful selection of materials. Wood, metal cladding, glass, composite panels, and concrete are the primary materials employed, each chosen for its functional properties and aesthetic appeal. Wood provides warmth and sustainability; metal cladding ensures durability; glass enhances natural lighting, establishing a connection with the outdoors; composite panels support thermal regulation without compromising design integrity; and concrete offers a robust foundation for the structure.

Modular Design Philosophy

The modular philosophy underpinning The Program House differentiates it from conventional residential designs. The flexibility allows the layout to adapt as families grow, transitioning from compact units for smaller households to larger configurations that accommodate expanding families. This adaptability is visually depicted in the architectural plans, showcasing how spaces can evolve over time. By integrating elements that can be personalized, the project enables occupants to create a home that reflects their changing needs.

Architectural sections illustrate how each component contributes to both the functionality and cohesion of the home. The design includes generously sized courtyards, which serve as social hubs, emphasizing the importance of outdoor space in modern living. This focus on communal areas highlights the design’s ethos of fostering connections, addressing the contemporary desire for community-oriented living environments.

Explore the project presentation for more details on The Program House, including architectural plans, architectural sections, and architectural designs that showcase the innovative approaches and design considerations that inform this project. Gain deeper insights into the architectural ideas that define this project and illustrate how it meets the needs of today's residents.

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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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