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Charred Wooden Shingles and Recycled Timber Envelop a Community-Centric Cultural Hub

Authors:
Benjamin Jay Shand, Jet Geaghan
Charred Wooden Shingles and Recycled Timber Envelop a Community-Centric Cultural Hub

Project in-detail

Crafted from charred wooden shingles and recycled timber, the design integrates community engagement spaces with artistic facilities, fostering collaboration and creativity in a cultural hub.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted with charred wooden shingles to enhance durability and aesthetic appeal.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for improved structural performance and sustainability.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that maximizes interior space while offering visual interest.
04
Designed to facilitate real-time artistic collaboration between visitors and creators.
05
Integrates lush landscaping to promote biodiversity and environmental integration.

### Overview
Located in Melbourne, the project titled "ink" serves as a platform for communal engagement by integrating elements of art, architecture, and education. The design aims to foster active participation among community members, encouraging them to engage creatively rather than merely observe. By creating a space that emphasizes interaction among artists, apprentices, and the general public, the project aims to facilitate a dialogue that intertwines physicality, art, and learning.

### Spatial Organization and User Interaction
The spatial arrangement is characterized by an open configuration across three levels: a basement for storage and technical services, a ground floor that features shared galleries and informal social areas, and a first floor dedicated to artistic presentations and workshops. The ground floor's design promotes casual mingling, enhancing visibility and accessibility for passersby. A distinctive processional staircase connects the first floor to a landscaped atrium, linking interior spaces with curated outdoor areas. Key observation points are integrated to allow visitors to witness artistic processes firsthand, redefining traditional boundaries around art consumption and enhancing educational opportunities.

### Materiality and Sustainability
A carefully selected material palette supports the project's ethos. Key materials include timber for warmth and a connection to the natural environment, glass to facilitate natural light and transparency, metal for structural durability, and concrete for stability. The incorporation of sustainable practices, such as the use of recycled timber and layered glazing, emphasizes environmental responsibility. Additionally, the integration of greenery supports biodiversity within the urban fabric, aligning with contemporary sustainability goals while enhancing the overall aesthetic of the design.

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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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