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Charred Wooden Shingles and Recycled Wood Elevate Flexible Housing Solutions in Urban Contexts

Authors:
Balthazar Kiewiet de jonge, Gerrit Knappers
Charred Wooden Shingles and Recycled Wood Elevate Flexible Housing Solutions in Urban Contexts

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and recycled wood, the design creates adaptable living environments that prioritize community interaction within an urban setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes a modular hexagonal layout for optimal space efficiency.
02
Incorporates charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and aesthetics.
03
Features extensive communal gardens to foster social interaction among residents.
04
Employs recycled materials throughout to minimize environmental impact.
05
Maximizes natural light penetration with a perforated facade design.

## Project Overview

The Hexa Sociatatis housing project, located in Sydney, Australia, was designed by Balthazar Kiewiet de Jonge and Gerrit Knoppers with the intent to address contemporary challenges in affordable housing. It employs a hexagonal modular design that combines aesthetic qualities with practical living solutions, aiming to enhance community interaction among residents.

## Spatial Efficiency and Community Interaction

The design prioritizes efficient use of living space while fostering social engagement. The hexagonal geometry minimizes material usage and maximizes usable areas, allowing for larger living units. Spaces for public interaction, including balconies and communal gardens, are integrated to encourage social activities. This configuration optimizes natural light and ventilation while ensuring a level of privacy for individual units, reflecting a contemporary approach to urban living.

### Material Choices

The project emphasizes sustainable material use, employing recycled wood for internal fittings, concrete for structural stability, and glass for the facade’s perforated panels. This selection not only enhances the building’s aesthetic appeal but also contributes to energy efficiency by facilitating natural light and minimizing reliance on artificial illumination.

### Ecological Design Elements

The design incorporates ecological considerations, utilizing locally sourced materials to minimize transportation emissions. Green terraces are integrated into the building to provide insulation, regulate temperature, and support local biodiversity. The modular nature of the units allows for adaptability, catering to diverse household needs over time and encouraging a sense of ownership among residents.

### Community-Centric Spaces

External common areas are integral to the project, designed for communal activities such as barbecues and informal gatherings. These spaces facilitate the formation of social networks that are essential for urban living, with the layout promoting interaction between residents and blurring the boundaries between private and shared 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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