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Coated Glass Facades and Vertical Battens Define a Sustainable Home in California

Coated Glass Facades and Vertical Battens Define a Sustainable Home in California
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Featuring a façade of coated glass and strategic vertical battens, this California residence emphasizes energy efficiency through thoughtful material selection and layout while providing a comfortable living environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Coated glass façades enhance natural light and visual connection to the landscape.
02
Vertical battens provide solar shading while adding architectural interest.
03
Reinforced concrete structural elements ensure durability and longevity.
04
Grey water recycling system minimizes water footprint and promotes sustainability.
05
Open floor plan fosters flexible living spaces for contemporary lifestyles.

**Project Overview**

Located in a contextually rich area, this residence integrates modern aesthetics with sustainable practices and innovative design. The architectural firm emphasizes practicality alongside environmental considerations, resulting in a structure that serves as both a home and a sustainable investment. The design focuses on maximizing natural light and optimizing air circulation while ensuring a habitat conducive to comfortable living. By strategically arranging the building mass along an east-west axis and orienting expansive glass façades to the north, the dwelling effectively captures sunlight while minimizing heat gain, thereby addressing the climatic conditions of the locale and maintaining energy efficiency.

**Spatial Configuration**

The residence is organized across two primary levels—the ground floor and the first floor—allowing for a purposeful distribution of functions. The ground floor features interconnected social spaces, including a spacious living room and an open kitchen that flows into dining areas. These spaces are distinctly zoned through careful furniture arrangements and variations in ceiling heights. In contrast, the first floor accommodates private quarters, comprising several bedrooms equipped with en-suite bathrooms, thereby promoting privacy while offering considerable views of the surrounding landscape through generously sized windows.

**Sustainability Features**

Sustainability is a key component of the design, incorporating various technologies that enhance energy performance. Solar panels are deployed to harness renewable energy, generating electricity for the household. Atmospheric water generators provide a sustainable water supply sourced from humidity, while a grey water recycling system efficiently reuses water for irrigation and other non-potable uses. The commitment to sustainable construction and reduced carbon footprint is further illustrated through a life cycle analysis, which evaluates both the environmental impact and the economic viability of the residence, reinforcing its status as a conscientious architectural endeavor.

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Kingspan MICROHOME 2026: Building Less to Create More

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Competition organisers

The Kingspan MICROHOME 2026 competition invites architects and designers worldwide to rethink small-scale living by creating an off-grid, modular micro dwelling under 25 m². Now in its 11th edition, the contest emphasizes sustainable, innovative, and human-centered design that demonstrates how compact living can have a big impact.

With a €100,000 prize fund, entries will be evaluated for originality, efficiency, and their response to contemporary environmental and social challenges. The competition is open to everyone, with submissions allowed individually or in teams of up to four. Registration closes on 30 September 2026, and winners will be announced on 15 December 2026.

By celebrating creativity within strict limits, MICROHOME 2026 continues to push the boundaries of compact architecture and sustainable living.

MICROHOME 2026

Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 September 2026

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Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a 50,000€ prize

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Early bird registration deadline 4 February 2027

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