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Charred Wooden Shingles and Thermal Design Elements in a Community-Centric Residence

Author:
Sumaya Ben Saad
Charred Wooden Shingles and Thermal Design Elements in a Community-Centric Residence

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and a thermal floor system, this community design integrates shared courtyards and modular living spaces to promote social connectivity while ensuring energy efficiency.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced weather resistance and aesthetic appeal.
02
Incorporates a thermal floor system for improved energy efficiency and indoor climate control.
03
Features modular living units that promote adaptability for various resident needs.
04
Design includes shared courtyards to foster community interaction and outdoor engagement.
05
Employs cross-laminated timber panels for structural integrity and sustainability.

**Overview**

Located within an evolving urban context, the design prioritizes communal living while integrating modern amenities with traditional architectural practices. The project emphasizes the concepts of preservation and innovation, striving to maintain cultural identity while employing contemporary technologies. The emphasis on "communal nesting" fosters a setting that encourages social interaction and strengthens community bonds, facilitating a harmonious blend of individual and shared spaces.

**Spatial Strategy and Interaction**

The layout is strategically organized to foster social engagement among residents while respecting individual privacy. The thermal floor utilizes passive solar gain, enhancing thermal performance within one-family units. Two modular complexes, identified as Complex 1 and Complex 2, are designed to adapt to varying needs, incorporating spaces that are both accessible and conducive for gatherings. Multiple courtyards serve as communal hubs, designed to maximize natural light and ventilation, thus promoting outdoor connectivity and enhancing resident interactions.

**Materiality and Aesthetic Composition**

Material selection plays a pivotal role in expressing the project's dual commitment to tradition and modernity. Concrete forms the structural backbone, providing durability; wooden accents introduce warmth; stone is used for exterior walls, promoting energy efficiency through thermal mass; and glass elements enhance transparency, allowing for natural light and a stronger connection to the outdoors. The façade reflects a balance of solid forms and open voids, employing varied treatments to create dynamic visual interactions with the environment throughout the day. The inclusion of tower-like structures not only facilitates vertical circulation but also pays homage to historical architectural elements, thereby enriching the overall aesthetic narrative.

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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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