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Community Space Enhanced by Wooden Crates and Interactive Art

Authors:
Julia Wilson, Daphne Caron, Sarah Dey, Nicholas Doerschlag
Community Space Enhanced by Wooden Crates and Interactive Art

Project in-detail

Interactive modules and community art transform wooden crates into a versatile reading room that fosters local engagement and personal connection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Interactive modules allow community members to customize the space with personal art.
02
Designed with no tools required for assembly, enabling quick setup in under one hour.
03
Wooden crates double as shipping containers and structural elements for the reading room.
04
Curved walls create flexible configurations for both social interaction and private reading.
05
The design emphasizes sustainability through reduced fossil fuel use in transportation.

The portable reading room is designed to engage with communities and adapt to their specific needs. Located in both urban and rural areas, the reading room serves as a space for reading and community interaction. With a focus on modularity, the design allows for flexibility and customization, ensuring that it meets the diverse requirements of various neighborhoods.

Modular Framework
The reading room features a modular design where each pillar can accommodate up to three different modules. These modules provide several functions, such as shelving books, offering seating, and displaying community information. This system allows users to adjust the space according to their preferences and activities, which enhances the overall experience.

Logistics and Sustainability
Efficient logistics are an important part of the design. The modules are built to fit into wooden crates for shipping, optimizing space and reducing transport-related fossil fuel use. By considering these factors, the design incorporates sustainability, aligning with modern practices that prioritize environmental responsibility.

Interactive Community Elements
A unique aspect of the reading room is its interactive component, which invites community members and local artists to contribute to the design. The modules are created with blank surfaces meant for decorations, allowing the space to reflect the community’s identity and character. This involvement helps to foster a connection between the users and the reading room.

The assembly of the reading room is straightforward, requiring no tools for setup. This simplicity lowers barriers to engagement, allowing installation to take about one hour. The design includes curving walls that create different spatial configurations, offering both areas for public interaction and private reflection.

Wooden crates are a key element, serving both logistical and functional purposes. This attention to detail showcases the reading room's focus on adaptability and community engagement. The space is designed for individuals to connect with literature and one another, celebrating the shared identity of the community.

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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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