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Charred Wooden Shingles and Natural Light Enhance Sustainable Living in a Villa

Author:
Petra Schindlerová
Charred Wooden Shingles and Natural Light Enhance Sustainable Living in a Villa

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and expansive skylights, the villa integrates sustainable materials and natural light to create a harmonious living space that embraces its landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and weather resistance.
02
Features expansive skylights that provide natural lighting tailored to each room's function.
03
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for efficient structural support and thermal performance.
04
Designed with a bent A-frame that minimizes visual impact on the surrounding landscape.
05
Promotes energy efficiency through passive solar design elements and strategic orientation.

### Overview

Located in the Czech Republic, the project "On the Edge" explores the relationship between architectural design, natural light, and the surrounding landscape. The design intentionally harmonizes with the site's topography, emphasizing the interplay of light and shadow as essential components of the living experience. The building configuration incorporates sloped roofs and open areas, creating a dynamic environment that adapts to seasonal changes in light.

### Spatial Organization and User Experience

The villa's spatial organization is carefully crafted to foster interaction with the natural environment while offering intimate areas for personal reflection. Strategic placement of skylights enhances this intention:
- **North-Facing Skylights** provide diffused light, maintaining a calm ambiance in spaces designated for relaxation and study.
- **South-Facing Skylights** invite direct sunlight into the living and kitchen areas, enhancing activity and vibrancy during daylight hours.

This deliberate distribution of light not only serves functional purposes but also enriches the aesthetic quality of each room, tailoring the experience to the specific activities taking place within.

### Materiality and Sustainability

Material choice plays a crucial role in grounding the structure within its environmental context. While the exact materials were not detailed, it can be anticipated that the design incorporates components such as:
- **Wood**, likely used for structural elements, offering warmth and a natural connection.
- **Glass**, employed for expansive openings that maximize views of the surrounding landscape.
- **Concrete**, potentially utilized in the foundations for structural integrity.

This selection of materials contributes to the building's energy efficiency and supports a sustainable living environment by minimizing environmental impact while enhancing architectural expression.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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Chair
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Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
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MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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