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Community Squares Integrating Nature with Local Materials

Authors:
Myriam De mesa amores, Pol Fernández fernández
Community Squares Integrating Nature with Local Materials

Project in-detail

Interconnected squares crafted from local materials create a flexible community space that enhances connections with nature while supporting diverse activities throughout the year.
5 key facts about this project
01
LACUNAS employs a design that connects three distinct squares for community interaction.
02
Local materials are used to align the project with its cultural and geographical context.
03
The layout optimizes solar gain to enhance thermal comfort in colder months.
04
Adaptability allows for selective usage of spaces based on seasonal population changes.
05
Integrated green areas promote outdoor activities and provide visual connections to nature.

LACUNAS focuses on turning empty spaces into usable squares that foster community connections and encourage interaction with nature. Located near La Puebla de Fantova, the design blends with its surroundings while providing flexibility for various communal activities throughout the year. The concept revolves around inclusivity and the ability to adapt to different social needs.

Design Concept
- Inspired by the Latin meaning of lacunas, which refers to "blank spaces," the project creates three interconnected squares. Each square is tailored to serve distinct functions. Public squares aim to engage the community, while private areas facilitate personal reflection. The careful arrangement of these spaces allows the architecture to respond dynamically to the diverse interactions within the community.

Thermal Comfort and Environmental Integration
- A notable feature of the design is its orientation, which enhances thermal comfort through optimal southern exposure. This design strategy helps collect solar energy, especially beneficial during colder months. Modules are placed to utilize the local topography, promoting sustainability with passive design techniques. Together, these elements create a living environment that is thoughtful and sensitive to local climate conditions.

Community Spaces and Uses
- By allocating specific functions to various areas, the design improves user experience significantly. Spaces are set aside for a local market, exhibitions, and creative activities, which contribute to a vibrant atmosphere. These arrangements not only serve the community's needs but also strengthen connections among residents and visitors, fostering a sense of belonging and involvement.

Material Choices and Aesthetic Considerations
- Local materials are chosen to ensure that the project fits well within its geographical and cultural context. This decision enhances visual harmony with the surroundings while also supporting the durability of the spaces. By reflecting the existing architectural style of La Puebla de Fantova, the design aims to create an inviting environment for everyone.

The design culminates in interconnected green areas that provide both visual and functional links to nature, enhancing the overall experience and encouraging outdoor activities.

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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
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