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Copper Rainwater Systems and Heliartec Shingles in a Wellness Facility

Author:
David g Daniels riba
Copper Rainwater Systems and Heliartec Shingles in a Wellness Facility

Project in-detail

Incorporating heliartec shingles and a greywater reuse system, the facility is designed to promote wellness while efficiently utilizing natural resources through innovative environmental strategies.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates a greywater reuse system for sustainable water management.
02
Features heliartec photovoltaic panels resembling traditional timber shingles.
03
Utilizes treated timber for structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.
04
Includes a yoga studio designed for natural light and user comfort.
05
Integrates a concealed copper rainwater gutter for efficient drainage.

The architectural design is positioned within a natural landscape, focusing on blending functionality with community needs. It serves as a space dedicated to wellness, providing diverse offerings such as physiotherapy rooms, shower facilities, and a yoga studio. This design concept prioritizes accessibility and interaction among users, creating places where individuals can gather, recover, and engage in healthy practices.

Spatial Configuration

The ground floor layout consists of areas specifically designated for both male and female physiotherapy, showers, and shared spaces like a small kitchenette and a yoga studio. This thoughtful arrangement promotes ease of movement and enhances user experience by ensuring privacy while also encouraging socialization. The entrance area acts as a welcoming point, inviting users into the facility and establishing a sense of comfort.

Visual Integration

Perspectives from lower hillside and high-level views show how well the structure fits into the surrounding landscape. The design adapts to the natural topography, creating connections that enhance the relationship between indoor and outdoor environments. This approach aims to foster a sense of belonging and encourages users to appreciate their surroundings while using the facility.

Structural Elements

Key structural components are featured in sectional views, which illustrate the use of a treated timber roof frame along with treated timber structural elements. These selections highlight a balance between durability and visual appeal, ensuring the building can withstand time while looking good. Additional details, such as an insulated waterproof membrane and a steel tension tie bar system, strengthen the building's resilience and energy efficiency.

Sustainable Practices

Sustainability is a significant focus, shown through features such as heliartec wood appearance photovoltaic panels that resemble traditional timber shingles. This design choice merges modern technology with familiar architectural forms, making the building visually relatable. Also notable is the concealed copper rainwater gutter system, designed to collect water for greywater reuse. This approach reflects an effort to manage resources wisely and reduce the environmental impact of the building.

Design elements culminate in a thoughtful interaction between functional spaces and the natural environment, highlighted by insulated reglits with vertical timber fins that add texture and visual interest to the façade. The design invites users into a harmonious experience that emphasizes wellness and 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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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