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Charred Wooden Shingles Elevate Sustainable Living in a Modular Forest Cabin

Authors:
Alix Louis Martial Moenne Loccoz, Damien Pierre Fregefond
Charred Wooden Shingles Elevate Sustainable Living in a Modular Forest Cabin

Project in-detail

Charred wooden shingles and galvanized steel combine with a modular design to create a sustainable living space elevated above the forest floor, promoting resilience and adaptability in a natural setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles provide both durability and fire resistance.
02
The modular construction allows for easy reconfiguration based on user needs.
03
Galvanized steel supports enhance structural integrity while minimizing material use.
04
Rainwater harvesting systems are integrated into the design for efficient resource management.
05
Acoustic features amplify natural sounds, enhancing the connection to the forest environment.

### Project Overview
Able Cabin 6x4, designed for the Lands Forest, addresses contemporary challenges such as climate change and the demand for adaptable living spaces. This project integrates modular design principles with an emphasis on sustainability, reflecting a commitment to ecological balance amidst a backdrop of environmental degradation. The chosen location presents an opportunity to explore architectural solutions that foster resilience while reinforcing connections between built environments and natural ecosystems.

### Design Philosophy
The project prioritizes dismantlability and adaptability, enabling the cabin to respond to diverse environmental conditions and user needs. The design aims to redefine conventional living spaces by emphasizing ecological integrity and flexibility, thereby countering the pressures of urbanization and biodiversity loss. Architecture does not merely provide shelter but actively engages with its surroundings to enhance the living experience while promoting environmental stewardship.

### Materials and Construction
Indeed, the construction methodology employs light and resilient materials to minimize ecological impact. The primary materials include galvanized steel for structural support, local wood species that harmonize with the forest, insulation materials enhancing energy efficiency, and a biomass generator that utilizes local organic waste for energy. The modular construction process facilitates reduced waste, prioritizing efficient assembly and transportability through systematic steps: framing, insulation, and final fitting.

**Architectural Elements**
- **External Design**: Elevated on slender stilts, the cabin minimizes ground disturbance, allowing for natural water flow and integrating with the surrounding landscape through varied exterior cladding colors.
- **Interior Layout**: The design incorporates a flexible interior adaptable to various activities—work, leisure, or rest—enhanced by high ceilings and large windows that provide abundant natural light and forest views. The central technical block efficiently manages resources like water and energy.
- **Modular Components**: Innovations such as the Module Amplifier connect occupants to their environment by capturing natural sounds, while facades with adjustable louvers regulate solar gain and improve ventilation.
- **Sustainability Features**: Deployable roof sections manage rainwater and enhance natural cooling, complemented by a water recycling system that embodies a commitment to conserving resources and fostering ecological integration.

Overall, the Able Cabin 6x4 serves as both a living space and an educational model for sustainable practices, promoting renewable energy use, resource efficiency, and the cultivation of micro-communities focused on environmental sustainability.

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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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