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Charred Wooden Shingles and Vertical Gardens Enhance Modular Living in Urban Landscapes

Author:
Zhuoran Zhang
Charred Wooden Shingles and Vertical Gardens Enhance Modular Living in Urban Landscapes

Project in-detail

Incorporating charred wooden shingles and vertical gardens, the modular housing design fosters resilience and adaptability within an urban community context.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles enhance durability while providing natural insulation.
02
Vertical gardens integrate ecological benefits into the urban environment.
03
Modular units allow dynamic reconfiguration based on resident needs.
04
Cross-laminated timber panels offer precision in construction and design flexibility.
05
Community spaces are intentionally designed to foster social interaction and engagement.

### Overview

The New Neighborhood housing project, developed for the Kharkiv Housing Challenge, addresses the critical needs of post-disaster recovery through a design that merges innovative modular systems with natural elements. Situated in Kharkiv, the initiative aims to foster a sustainable community that enhances resilience and mental well-being while utilizing space efficiently. The design emphasizes adaptability and environmental restoration, ensuring that it meets the evolving requirements of its residents.

### Modular Structure and Community Integration

At the core of the design is a modular framework that allows for the relocation and repurposing of housing units based on community dynamics. The architectural form draws from traditional Ukrainian motifs, effectively aligning contemporary design with cultural context. This approach not only emphasizes functionality but also enhances the aesthetic identity of the neighborhood. The structural system employs a combination of cubic designs and open frameworks to facilitate flexible use of space, incorporating both residential and communal functions. Large windows and open-plan layouts promote natural light and ventilation, establishing a strong connection between indoor and outdoor environments.

### Material Utilization and Ecological Considerations

Distinctive material choices include reinforced concrete for durability, timber for aesthetic warmth, glass for transparency, and steel for structural support. The integration of locally sourced materials reinforces the project’s ties to its geographical context, enhancing the sense of place. Green public spaces, including communal gardens and children's play areas, are integral to the layout, encouraging social interaction and improving mental health. Features such as vertical gardens and green roofs promote biodiversity and environmental restoration while providing natural insulation and air purification, contributing to overall sustainability.

Adaptability remains a significant aspect, with modular units designed to accommodate various family structures and uses, allowing for dynamic reconfiguration over time. Such flexibility ensures that the neighborhood can evolve in response to changing social or environmental conditions.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
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MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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Kinderspace
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