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Charred Wooden Shingles and Sustainable Timber Create a Tranquil Community Haven

Author:
Hidde Lodewijk Huisinga
Charred Wooden Shingles and Sustainable Timber Create a Tranquil Community Haven

Project in-detail

Constructed with charred wooden shingles and cross-laminated timber panels, the design offers a serene sanctuary for community engagement and personal reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and aesthetic appeal.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels, promoting sustainable building practices.
03
Features a bent A-frame design, optimizing both structural integrity and visual interest.
04
The central courtyard is designed to facilitate community gatherings and outdoor activities.
05
Quiet rooms utilize sound-dampening materials to create peaceful environments for reflection.

### Project Overview

"Reviving Serenity: The Common House as a Secular Sanctuary" is located in a specific geographical context that reflects the evolving needs of contemporary communities. This design aims to restore interpersonal connections by creating a space conducive to tranquility and communal interaction. It integrates the historical context of the area, fostering a dialogue between past narratives and current social dynamics, promoting social cohesion within the community.

### Spatial Configuration

The architectural layout centers around a courtyard that functions as the heart of community activities. The design features a central commons area for gatherings and events, alongside private retreats for personal reflection. Strategic landscaping enhances the relationship between the built environment and the surrounding nature, reinforcing a sense of harmony. The arrangement of spaces encourages movement and interaction, providing diverse opportunities for social engagement while maintaining areas for solitude.

### Material Selection and Sustainability

Careful selection of materials supports the project's emphasis on serenity and connection. Sustainable timber is used extensively throughout the interior, imparting warmth and comfort, while low-emissivity glass maximizes natural light and provides expansive views of the landscape. Reinforced concrete serves as a durable structural element, whereas aluminum cladding not only presents modern aesthetics but also contributes to the building's sustainability through its recyclability. This combination of materials creates a cohesive experience, balancing durability with aesthetic appeal.

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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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