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Charred Wooden Shingles and Reinforced Spaces for Safe Community Living

Author:
Francisca Pereira Dos Santos
Charred Wooden Shingles and Reinforced Spaces for Safe Community Living

Project in-detail

Reinforced spaces with charred wooden shingles provide secure shelter while fostering community resilience and healing in a post-conflict environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Reinforced safe rooms are integrated into each residential unit for enhanced security.
02
Central community bunker houses essential facilities for shared use during emergencies.
03
Charred wooden shingles provide fire resistance and a unique aesthetic to the structures.
04
Green roofs support biodiversity and improve thermal performance within the urban landscape.
05
Cross-laminated timber panels are utilized for their strength and sustainability in construction.

## Project Overview

The War Shield is an architectural initiative aimed at revitalizing North Saltivka, Kharkiv, Ukraine, a region significantly impacted by conflict. This project is designed to address the pressing needs for post-war recovery by creating a multifunctional environment that emphasizes safety, resilience, and community engagement. It focuses on rehabilitating damaged urban landscapes and fostering a sense of belonging among residents.

## Safety and Community Engagement

The project features specific elements that prioritize safety and community resilience. Each residential unit is equipped with a designated safe room constructed from reinforced materials, providing protection during crises and incorporating communication facilities for emergency contact. Additionally, a central underground bunker serves the community, featuring essential amenities like dormitories and kitchens.

The design fosters social interaction through shared public spaces and integrates greenery to support emotional well-being. Parks and pathways are strategically positioned to enhance accessibility, offer recreational opportunities, and promote biodiversity, creating inviting areas for community gathering and psychological healing.

## Material Selection and Environmental Integration

The materials chosen for construction reflect a commitment to safety and sustainability. Reinforced concrete and lightweight polymers provide structural integrity, while metal panels, designed for blast resistance, support the integration of living landscapes. Moreover, the incorporation of green roofs and living facades improves air quality and mitigates heat impact, aligning with contemporary sustainable practices.

The architectural layout is intentionally organized to ensure that safety features, such as bunkers, blend seamlessly into the urban fabric. This design strategy not only enhances security but also avoids a fortress-like appearance, creating a welcoming environment conducive to community life.

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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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