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Charred Wooden Shingles and Recycled Brick Integrate Community Spaces in a Rural Setting

Authors:
Elena Nalin, Rodrigo Lima
Charred Wooden Shingles and Recycled Brick Integrate Community Spaces in a Rural Setting

Project in-detail

Integrating charred wooden shingles with recycled brick, the design harmoniously creates community spaces while preserving the historical essence of the rural landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Integrates local recycled brick from existing structures into the new design.
02
Features charred wooden shingles that enhance durability and weather resistance.
03
Utilizes cross-laminated timber panels for improved structural efficiency and sustainability.
04
The layout promotes social interaction through a central courtyard design.
05
Incorporates large glass surfaces to maximize natural light and landscape views.

The project, known as "The Graft," represents a contemporary architectural intervention that strategically integrates new structures with existing historical buildings in a rural context. This architecture emphasizes sustainability and adaptive reuse, allowing the new design to resonate with the historical narrative of the site while meeting modern functional requirements. The project is designed to serve both visitors and locals by providing various amenities, including guest accommodations, dining areas, and spaces for social interaction.

The architecture of "The Graft" reflects a conscious effort to maintain the character of the landscape and existing site features. By employing a grafting technique, the project establishes a harmonious relationship between new and old, blending seamlessly into the environment. This design approach not only preserves the historical significance of the original structures but also enhances the functionality of the space.

Sustainability is a key focus of this project. The design employs a careful selection of materials, including timber, concrete, glass, and recycled brick. This choice of materials balances the need for modern performance with an aesthetic that respects traditional forms. The use of large glass surfaces maximizes natural light and provides views of the surrounding landscape, fostering a strong connection with nature.

Unique Design Approaches
One of the distinctive aspects of "The Graft" is its central courtyard, which acts as the heart of the project. This space promotes community engagement and social interaction, serving as a gathering point for guests. The layout emphasizes a fluid transition between indoor and outdoor areas, allowing occupants to experience the natural beauty of the location while enjoying the comforts of modern architecture.

The project features guest houses organized to offer privacy while ensuring connectivity to communal areas. The thoughtful arrangement of these buildings encourages a sense of community without compromising individual space. Additionally, the integration of flexible spaces for wine tasting and dining highlights local culture, providing opportunities for immersive experiences.

Interaction with Nature
The architectural design maximizes engagement with the surrounding environment. The strategic orientation of structures and open areas allows for optimal light and ventilation, minimizing energy consumption while enhancing occupant comfort. This consideration is combined with a focus on ecological responsibility throughout the construction process, showcasing a commitment to sustainable development.

For those interested in the technical aspects of "The Graft," exploring architectural plans, sections, and designs will provide deeper insights into the innovative ideas that underpin this project. The thoughtful integration of historical and contemporary architectural practices serves to create a space that is both functional and respectful of its heritage, highlighting the importance of context in architectural design. For further details regarding this project, please refer to the complete presentation.

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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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