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Closed-Loop Water System in A-Frame Micro Home with Local Materials

Author:
Sophie Herqué
Closed-Loop Water System in A-Frame Micro Home with Local Materials

Project in-detail

The recirculating water system and local materials showcase a self-sufficient A-frame micro home designed for energy efficiency and thermal comfort.
5 key facts about this project
01
Recirculating shower system significantly reduces daily water usage through a closed-loop design.
02
Elevated on wooden piles, the structure adapts to varying site conditions and improves drainage.
03
A-frame shape optimizes natural light capture and thermal performance.
04
Material palette includes locally sourced wood, hay, and earth, emphasizing sustainability.
05
Technical facilities are discreetly integrated into a lower ground floor for an uncluttered living space.

Le Mirador is an A-frame micro-home designed with a focus on sustainability and self-sufficiency. Elevated on wooden piles, it adapts to different site conditions and connects well with its natural environment. The home functions as a residential space, offering a living experience that emphasizes energy efficiency and ecological responsibility.

Orientation and Thermal Performance

The design strategically maximizes thermal performance. An opening angled at 45 degrees in the southern wall allows sunlight to enter, which reduces the need for artificial heating. This thoughtful placement ensures energy efficiency while creating a comfortable atmosphere for occupants, enhancing the overall living experience.

Spatial Arrangement and Technical Facilities

Inside, the layout clearly separates technical facilities from living areas, resulting in an organized environment. The lower ground floor accommodates crucial systems such as the battery bank, photovoltaic (PV) combiner, cisterns, and septic tanks. This separation keeps essential utilities out of sight, promoting a clean and uncluttered aesthetic within the living spaces.

Water Recycling System

One notable feature is the recirculating shower, which uses a closed-loop water recycling system. This innovation allows the home to capture and filter water for reuse, significantly cutting down on daily water consumption. Such a feature underscores the focus on resource management, aligning with contemporary standards for sustainable living.

Materials and Environmental Responsibility

Materials used in constructing Le Mirador include wood, hay, and earth. These choices reflect a commitment to sustainability, as they can often be sourced locally and have minimal environmental impact. This selection emphasizes a practical approach, harmonizing the home with its surrounding landscape while being responsible for resource usage.

The design of Le Mirador is defined by its A-frame shape, combined with large double-glazed bay windows that invite natural light inside. This design detail connects indoor spaces with the outside views, creating a welcoming atmosphere full of light and nature.

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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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