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Charred Wooden Shingles and Recycled Glass Enveloping Sustainable Homes in a Community Setting

Authors:
Lauren Sharpe, Marina Gieres
Charred Wooden Shingles and Recycled Glass Enveloping Sustainable Homes in a Community Setting
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Utilizing charred wooden shingles and recycled glass, the design integrates sustainable living and community engagement, creating a cohesive environment for self-sufficient residences.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates internal greenhouses for year-round food production and community interaction.
02
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and fire resistance.
03
Features cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and sustainability.
04
Integrates advanced rainwater collection and greywater recycling systems.
05
Employs a bent A-frame design for improved insulation and energy efficiency.

### Overview
Located in an undisclosed geographical area, Habitat is designed as a model of regenerative community living that emphasizes sustainability, energy efficiency, and community-oriented design. The intent behind this project is to cultivate a lifestyle that promotes energy self-sufficiency and encourages sustainable food production, integrating individual residences with communal spaces based on ecological principles.

### Architectural Strategy
The design philosophy incorporates flexible architectural forms that respond to varying climatic conditions, featuring adjustable elements for environmental protection. Each home operates as an individual unit while contributing to a collective ecological balance through shared gardening and resource management. Central to the design are integrated greenhouses that serve multiple functions—food production, social interaction, and communal engagement—reflecting a commitment to local sourcing and community resilience.

### Material Selection and Energy Management
The careful choice of materials includes recycled glass for greenhouse structures, natural wood sourced from sustainable forests for cladding, and bio-based thermal insulation to enhance energy efficiency. Photovoltaic panels on roofs support sustainable energy production, while rainwater collection and greywater filtration systems illustrate innovative resource management practices. Energy strategies incorporate natural ventilation and greenhouse effects to maintain comfortable indoor climates, minimizing reliance on artificial systems. These elements contribute to a self-sustaining environment where ecological responsibility and community interaction are paramount.

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Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

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

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge

AIA (American Institute of Architects) invites you to design affordable housing in Denver

Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 18 September 2025

Recurring architecture competitions

The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 18 September 2025
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
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Early bird registration deadline 2 October 2025
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Advance registration deadline 9 October 2025
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Early bird registration deadline 15 October 2025
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Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

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Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 16 October 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025
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Final registration deadline 13 November 2025
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Design a concrete pavilion

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Final registration deadline 27 November 2025

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