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Charred Wooden Shingles and Reinforced Concrete Combine for Sustainable Community Living

Author:
Diego Rodriguez
Charred Wooden Shingles and Reinforced Concrete Combine for Sustainable Community Living

Project in-detail

Charred wooden shingles and a robust concrete structure create a visually cohesive residence that enhances community interaction while prioritizing sustainable living practices.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles enhance fire resistance while providing a distinctive aesthetic.
02
Cross-laminated timber panels contribute to rapid construction and structural stability.
03
The central courtyard design promotes natural ventilation and enhances social interaction.
04
Rainwater harvesting systems integrated into the roof support sustainable water management.
05
The structure's orientation maximizes daylight exposure and minimizes energy consumption.

**Overview and Context**

The Guest House of Family Verde is located in Barreiro, within the Leria region, characterized by a diverse topography that includes mountains, fields, and traditional village architecture. This design aligns with the local context, aiming to establish a welcoming environment for both the family and the surrounding community. The project reflects an understanding of the cultural and physical landscape, integrating vernacular elements with modern architectural sensibilities.

**Spatial Organization and User Experience**

The internal layout centers around a courtyard, serving as a communal hub that encourages interaction among different spaces while maintaining visual connections to the outdoors. Key areas such as the kitchen, living area, and bedrooms are strategically arranged to support both community gatherings and private retreats.

Living spaces feature expansive openings and sliding glass doors that enhance the relationship with the external environment, while bedrooms are designed for privacy without compromising access to natural light and views. A meditation area is included, promoting a tranquil atmosphere and encouraging reflection.

**Material and Sustainability Integration**

The construction employs sustainable materials like reinforced concrete for structural integrity and locally sourced timber for aesthetic finishes, thus reinforcing the regional identity and minimizing the carbon footprint. The walls are a blend of natural render and warm wood finishes, creating a textured surface that interacts with sunlight, resulting in a dynamic visual experience throughout the day.

The design promotes sustainability through features such as passive solar strategies for energy efficiency, rainwater harvesting systems integrated into the roof structures, and natural ventilation strategies that enhance indoor comfort while reducing dependency on mechanical systems.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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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Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
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MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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Kinderspace
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