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Charred Wooden Shingles and Natural Light Illuminate Flexible Communal Living Spaces

Author:
Felix Gehrke
Charred Wooden Shingles and Natural Light Illuminate Flexible Communal Living Spaces

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and abundant natural light, the design fosters adaptable communal living spaces that emphasize sustainability and social interaction within an urban environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and fire resistance.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and aesthetic appeal.
03
Features a bent A-frame design, promoting both visual interest and spatial flexibility.
04
Integrates communal gardens and shared spaces to foster community interaction.
05
Designed with extensive glass elements to maximize natural light and connectivity.

## Overview

HOMEHELLO is an architectural initiative located in Sydney, Australia, designed to address the city's housing crisis, which is characterized by high prices and increasing urban density. The project utilizes a modern approach to modular living and shared spaces, specifically aimed at supporting young creatives and families within the metropolitan context. It explores innovative design concepts that facilitate community interaction and enhance the quality of urban residential life.

### Modular Housing Strategy

The design of HOMEHELLO incorporates a modular housing system that prioritizes flexibility and adaptability, allowing for customized living experiences. This approach enables the construction of interchangeable modules configured to meet diverse resident needs, promoting a balance between individual expression and collective living. The layout encourages social engagement through shared access points and communal areas, facilitating interaction among residents while maintaining personal privacy.

### Sustainable Material Selection

A careful choice of materials underpins the sustainability and durability of the project. Key components include:

- **Timber:** Employed for structural framing, timber adds warmth to living spaces and reduces the carbon footprint.
- **Reinforced Concrete:** Used in living modules for resilience and thermal mass, contributing to energy efficiency.
- **Red Clay:** Incorporated in wall elements, enhancing acoustic insulation and aligning with sustainable building practices.
- **Glass:** Extensively utilized in façades to optimize natural lighting and create visual connections between indoor and outdoor environments.

These materials have been selected not only for their aesthetic qualities but also for their functional benefits, which reinforce HOMEHELLO's commitment to ecological sustainability and human-centered design.

### Design Configuration and Public Integration

The architectural layout of HOMEHELLO features a series of stacked modules that optimize space while ensuring accessibility and privacy. Each level comprises distinct living units with multiple access points, enhancing the privacy of homes while facilitating community interaction. Additionally, public areas are thoughtfully integrated with private living spaces, creating opportunities for social gatherings, workshops, and recreational activities. The distinctive design maintains a focus on inclusivity and the creation of a vibrant community atmosphere, setting a precedent for urban residential architecture in Sydney.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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