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Charred Wooden Shingles and Natural Ventilation in a Community Center for Seniors

Authors:
Andrea concepcion Omaña lerma, Camila Hernandez Gonzalez
Charred Wooden Shingles and Natural Ventilation in a Community Center for Seniors

Project in-detail

Incorporating charred wooden shingles and extensive use of natural ventilation, the design creates a functional community center that promotes social interaction among seniors while emphasizing sustainability.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates a community center design that fosters intergenerational interaction.
02
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and aesthetic appeal.
03
Features cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and sustainability.
04
Employs extensive natural ventilation strategies to optimize indoor air quality.
05
Integrates flexible spaces that can adapt to various communal activities.

## Project Overview

Located in Guadalajara, Mexico, Azul Agua is an architectural initiative designed to enhance the living experience of the elderly community. Set within the urban context of Agua Azul Park, the project serves as both a residence and a community hub, promoting intergenerational interaction through the provision of diverse social, recreational, and essential services that contribute to the overall quality of life for its inhabitants.

## Spatial Strategy and User Experience

Azul Agua integrates a mixed-use design that combines residential units with various community functions, such as dining, shopping, and recreational facilities. The layout emphasizes intergenerational spaces, enabling meaningful engagement between residents of different ages. Communal areas, particularly the community center, serve as focal points for activities, workshops, and social gatherings, facilitating connections and reducing feelings of isolation among tenants. Shared living spaces, game rooms, and rooftop terraces further enhance social engagement, providing opportunities for relaxation and interaction in a supportive environment.

## Materiality and Sustainability

The architectural material palette is chosen for its functionality and aesthetic qualities. Reinforced concrete ensures structural integrity, while glass elements create an inviting atmosphere through natural light and visibility. Wood features are incorporated for warmth, complementing metal accents that provide modern aesthetics. The project emphasizes ecological sustainability through practices such as rainwater harvesting systems for irrigation, natural ventilation techniques to decrease reliance on mechanical cooling, and the integration of solar panels to enhance energy efficiency. These sustainable strategies underscore a commitment to minimizing environmental impact while fostering a welcoming community space.

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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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