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Charred Wooden Shingles and Recycled Bricks Create a Flexible Residence Emphasizing Natural Ventilation

Authors:
Ghadeer Ali Isa Mohamed Salman, Sara Ali Isa Mohamed Salman
Charred Wooden Shingles and Recycled Bricks Create a Flexible Residence Emphasizing Natural Ventilation

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and recycled bricks, the residence integrates natural ventilation with flexible living spaces to enhance sustainability and occupant comfort.
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 sustainability.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that optimizes natural light and ventilation.
04
Integrates movable partitions to allow flexible use of interior spaces.
05
Includes a biophilic landscape design that promotes local biodiversity.

### Project Overview
Located in a dynamic urban context, this residential design exemplifies a modern approach to architecture that emphasizes sustainability and user-centered living. The structure features innovative spatial arrangements and adaptable forms, promoting a responsive relationship between the built environment and its occupants. Key design principles include environmentally conscious materiality, energy efficiency, and the integration of natural elements, fostering harmony between indoor and outdoor spaces.

### Spatial Flexibility and User Adaptation
The design incorporates the concept of "Expandability," allowing the spatial layout to evolve in response to the occupants' changing needs. This adaptability is a critical feature, enabling future modifications to the living arrangement without significant structural alterations. The integration of natural ventilation methods enhances airflow and thermal comfort, incorporating the Venturi Principle to optimize the internal climate. Outdoor spaces—including terraces and gardens—serve as extensions of the interior, facilitating social interaction and enhancing the overall user experience.

### Material Selection and Sustainability
The project utilizes a thoughtful selection of materials that prioritize ecological considerations and aesthetic cohesion. Recycled bricks provide primary structural support while adding visual texture. Glass blocks are employed to balance privacy with light penetration, creating a dynamic interplay of interior illumination. Concrete offers strength and flexibility in form, while timber serves as both a structural element and an aesthetic connector between inside and outside. Additionally, landscaping elements, including native vegetation and water features, reinforce environmental integration. These material choices emphasize local sourcing and ecological responsibility, affirming the design's commitment to sustainability.

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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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