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Cliff-Supported Structure With Wooden Waffle and Polycarbonate Panels

Authors:
Virginia Pozzi, Alessandro Minotti, Konstantinos Venis, Diogo andré Gonçalves ferreira
Cliff-Supported Structure With Wooden Waffle and Polycarbonate Panels

Project in-detail

Elevated on a sloped cliff, a structure integrates wooden waffle elements and sliding polycarbonate panels to create flexible living spaces that enhance the connection with nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated design allows natural light to flood the interior, enhancing the connection with the landscape.
02
Sliding polycarbonate panels create flexible transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces.
03
The use of a wooden waffle structure optimizes strength while reducing material usage.
04
Integrated tie rods enhance structural stability on the sloped site.
05
Open ground beneath the structure promotes local wildlife and plant growth.

The design explores the concept of balance while sitting gracefully on a sloped forested cliff. Functionality revolves around creating flexible living spaces that connect with nature, allowing occupants to engage with the surrounding landscape. The overall design concept emphasizes simplicity and draws inspiration from forms found in nature, creating a relationship between the built environment and the wild.

Structural Integrity

The structure features a minimalist approach with two primary beams supported by a single vertical column. This configuration recalls the form of a tree, providing stability while being elevated above the ground. The careful alignment with gravity allows the design to maintain a balanced position, promoting a light appearance that integrates well with the natural setting.

Functional Spaces

Various areas within the design support a range of human activities, such as bathing, dressing, and social gatherings. Each space is thoughtfully arranged to encourage interaction with the environment, allowing the ground below to remain open for wildlife and plants. This approach ensures that daily living spaces prioritize comfort and well-being while fostering a connection to nature.

Material Selection

The project uses specific materials that enhance both the structural integrity and aesthetic qualities of the design. Key materials include sliding polycarbonate panels, corrugated steel panels, a wooden waffle structure for the roof and floor, a concrete foundation, and a double-glazed façade. The incorporation of sliding and folding elements encourages easy movement between indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing for natural light to enter and infuse warmth into the environment.

Design Detailing

Attention to detail is evident in the integration of structural elements that provide stability and elegance. Tie rods reinforce the overall design's strength, while the chosen finishes improve the sensory experience of each space. This careful arrangement invites occupants to navigate the boundaries between inside and outside, highlighting the deep connection to the surrounding natural environment.

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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

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