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Corten Steel Facade and Sustainable Energy Solutions Define A Flexible Microhome Design

Authors:
Thomas Wendl, Vinzenz Marton Krenek
Corten Steel Facade and Sustainable Energy Solutions Define A Flexible Microhome Design

Project in-detail

Constructed with a corten steel facade and equipped with efficient solar panels, this microhome exemplifies flexible living while promoting sustainability through its innovative design and resource management.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with a corten steel facade to enhance durability and weather resistance.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for improved energy efficiency and structural integrity.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that maximizes interior space while promoting natural light.
04
Equipped with integrated solar panels for energy self-sufficiency.
05
Utilizes rainwater harvesting systems to support sustainable water management.

### Project Overview
Casa Chameleon, located in a context that demands innovative housing solutions, focuses on providing customizable and sustainable living spaces. Designed as a microhome, it seeks to offer residents the flexibility to adapt their living environment to personal preferences and changing climatic conditions. This initiative emphasizes ecological integrity while addressing the pressing demands of modern housing.

### Concept and Design Flexibility
The design centers on modularity, allowing the outer and inner shells of the structure to be customized with various materials such as engineered wood panels and corten steel. This adaptability is essential in diverse environmental settings, enabling inhabitants to select colors and finishes that respond to climatic influences—darker shades for heat absorption in colder areas and lighter tones for reflective cooling in warmer regions.

### Sustainable Material Selection
The project's material palette underscores a commitment to sustainability and resilience. Key components include:

- **Kingspan Designwall 2000**: A highly efficient insulation material that enhances overall energy performance.
- **Wooden Slats**: These provide aesthetic versatility while encouraging integration with natural surroundings.
- **Corten Steel**: Renowned for its durability and unique weathered appearance, this material withstands harsh environmental conditions.
- **OSB (Oriented Strand Board)**: Ensuring structural integrity while remaining a cost-effective construction option.
- **Solar Panels**: Incorporated into the roof to harness renewable energy, supporting the self-sufficiency objective.
- **Kingspan AquaBank**: These systems collect and store rainwater, emphasizing efficiency in resource utilization.

The roof design further contributes to energy efficiency by minimizing heat transfer and promoting a comfortable indoor climate.

### Self-Sufficiency and Community Integration
Casa Chameleon integrates self-sufficiency through a combination of innovative systems. The installation of rainwater and drinking water storage tanks enables independence from municipal water sources. Solar panels facilitate energy autonomy, supplemented by a battery storage system to ensure a consistent power supply.

In addition, this project advocates for communal living by promoting shared spaces without compromising individual identity. Customizable facades foster a sense of community, creating interactive neighborhoods that maintain autonomy from traditional urban infrastructures. This model responds to housing pressures by enhancing social interaction and supporting sustainable living practices.

### Architectural Characteristics
The project’s distinctive features include its customizable aesthetics, sustainability practices, and a focus on community. Residents have the opportunity to select materials that align with their personal style, resulting in a diverse yet cohesive environment. The emphasis on resource management further aims to reduce the ecological footprint, positioning this design as a relevant solution amid the challenges of contemporary urban living.

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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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