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Charred Wooden Shingles and Translucent Canopy in a Residential Retreat

Author:
Jonghyuk Lee
Charred Wooden Shingles and Translucent Canopy in a Residential Retreat

Project in-detail

Floors adorned with charred wooden shingles and an airy, translucent canopy integrate seamlessly into a natural landscape, creating a contemporary dwelling that emphasizes light and sustainability.
5 key facts about this project
01
Floors incorporate charred wooden shingles, enhancing durability and weather resistance.
02
A bent A-frame design optimizes structural integrity while allowing for greater interior volume.
03
Cross-laminated timber panels are utilized for both walls and roofing, providing efficient insulation.
04
Large, strategically positioned openings create dynamic light patterns throughout the living spaces.
05
Native landscaping surrounds the structure, reinforcing ecological relationships with the local environment.

## Conceptual Overview

"Forest of Shadows" is a residential architectural design situated in a natural landscape, focusing on the interaction between built and natural environments. The concept emphasizes the dynamic interplay of light and shadow, akin to the experience of wandering through a forest. The design integrates features that mimic sunlight filtering through foliage, fostering a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces and creating a sense of safety and tranquility.

## Structural Layout and Materiality

The design employs a staggered arrangement of interconnected buildings, facilitating movement between diverse spaces and promoting a cohesive flow within the layout. Each area, including living zones, a kitchen, bathrooms, and communal spaces, is organized thoughtfully to maintain open connectivity.

The use of wood in the exterior cladding offers a rustic aesthetic while reinforcing sustainability efforts. Concrete serves as a durable foundation and pathway material, providing stability. The roof is crafted to resemble a forest canopy, utilizing lightweight yet robust fabric-like materials to diffuse light, contributing to transparency and enhancing the overall experience of natural illumination. Vertical white columns elevate the roof structure, creating an airy ambiance that preserves shelter while inviting the outdoors in.

## Sensory Engagement and Sustainability

The design encourages an immersive sensory experience, allowing occupants to engage with light, shadows, and sounds characteristic of the surrounding landscape. The arrangement and features of the home are intended to shift with the seasonal changes, enriching daily interactions within the space. The project emphasizes sustainability through the selection of low-impact materials and the incorporation of native plants in the surrounding landscape, enhancing ecological harmony while maintaining aesthetic value. The flexible layout supports both privacy and community engagement, reflecting a balanced approach to modern living.

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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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