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Charred Wooden Shingles and Sustainable Timber Create Intergenerational Community Living

Author:
Sarah Chin
Charred Wooden Shingles and Sustainable Timber Create Intergenerational Community Living

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and cross-laminated timber panels, this community living environment fosters intergenerational connections through shared spaces and adaptable housing solutions.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and weather resistance.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for structural stability and sustainability.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that maximizes natural light and space utilization.
04
Includes communal kitchens to foster collaboration and social interaction among residents.
05
Strategically designed green spaces promote outdoor activity and community engagement.

### Project Overview
The "Home Together" initiative addresses the issue of isolation among senior citizens in community living settings. By exploring interdependent living, the design aims to meet the needs of older adults while encouraging interaction with different generations. Located in an urban environment, the project utilizes architectural strategies to foster community connections and challenge the stigmas associated with aging.

### Interdependent Living and Spatial Organization
Central to the design is the concept of interdependent living, which prioritizes shared spaces and communal experiences. The layout features various housing typologies that facilitate different levels of interaction, accommodating both seniors and younger residents. This framework fosters a sense of community and collective support, achieved through spatial arrangements that promote proximity and accessibility. Key components include a Clubhouse, serving as the community's social hub with transparent walls that merge indoor and outdoor environments, and Green Spaces that encourage engagement through gardens and communal activities.

### Materiality and Functionality
The project's material palette emphasizes sustainability and comfort, utilizing wood for structural elements, which adds warmth, and large glass windows that invite natural light and enhance visibility between spaces. The use of brickwork and tiles for façades and pathways defines functional outdoor zones while contributing to the aesthetic coherence of the environment. Features such as shared kitchens and communal areas facilitate collaborative activities, reinforcing the notion of mutual accountability among residents. The design reflects an adaptable vision for community living, prioritizing intergenerational interaction as a means of promoting engagement and support across varying age groups.

The design incorporates strategic elements to ensure accessibility, focusing on urban locations that alleviate social isolation for seniors by enhancing connections to public transport and community services.

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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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