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Charred Wooden Shingles and Recycled Steel Form Adaptive Community Housing

Author:
Patrick Crowe
Charred Wooden Shingles and Recycled Steel Form Adaptive Community Housing

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and recycled steel, the design reimagines community living through adaptable spaces that prioritize environmental sustainability.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced fire resistance and thermal performance.
02
Incorporates recycled steel for structural components, promoting sustainability.
03
Features cross-laminated timber panels to optimize construction efficiency and insulation.
04
Employs a bent A-frame design to maximize interior volume and natural light.
05
Integrates community gardens within the architecture to foster social interaction.

### Project Overview

The architectural design "Beyond Isolation" focuses on the adaptive reuse of underutilized buildings within an urban context. The intent is to cultivate community connections across diverse demographics while addressing pressing social and environmental issues. Through a structured participatory design process, future residents and stakeholders actively inform the development of an inclusive and sustainable urban environment.

### Participatory Design and Community Engagement

The project implements a participatory design framework that includes workshops engaging future residents, local specialists, and stakeholders. This inclusive process ensures that a wide range of perspectives are considered in the planning stages, facilitating a development that reflects the needs and aspirations of the community. By emphasizing sociable building design, the project aims to encourage interaction among residents, thereby fostering stronger community bonds.

### Material Selection and Structural Strategy

The design prioritizes the use of low-carbon and sustainable materials, incorporating recycled steel for structural elements, sustainable wood for interior finishes, and green roof systems to support biodiversity. Energy-efficient glazing is utilized to optimize natural light and reduce energy consumption. Structurally, the layout features mixed-use facilities that integrate communal spaces with residential units. A central garden promenade enhances connectivity across floors and provides access to communal gardens and open areas. Flexible dwelling designs accommodate a variety of lifestyles, supporting inclusivity across different resident demographics. Public-private thresholds are strategically crafted to balance community engagement with individual privacy, facilitating inviting and secure living environments.

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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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