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Cross-Laminated Timber and Charred Shingles Define Sustainable Desert Living

Author:
Sasipim Sivaroroskul
Cross-Laminated Timber and Charred Shingles Define Sustainable Desert Living

Project in-detail

Incorporating cross-laminated timber and charred shingles, the design efficiently harnesses natural ventilation and thermal mass to create a sustainable living space in a desert environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates traditional badgir for natural cooling.
02
Uses charred wooden shingles for enhanced weather resistance.
03
Features cross-laminated timber for structural efficiency and sustainability.
04
Employs a bent A-frame design to maximize airflow and reduce heat gain.
05
Integrates a rainwater harvesting system for water conservation.

**Overview**

Copy Place is situated in a challenging desert environment, designed as a response to the unique conditions present in such landscapes. The intent of the project is to blend traditional Middle Eastern architectural elements with modern technologies, prioritizing sustainability and adaptability while maintaining energy efficiency and occupant comfort.

**Design Strategy**

The spatial organization of Copy Place emphasizes linearity, facilitating connection between public and private areas and enhancing interaction with the surrounding environment. Certain sections of the villa are intentionally buried in desert sand, minimizing heat absorption and optimizing thermal performance. The design incorporates passive ventilation through strategically placed openings to capture prevailing winds, thereby naturally cooling the interior spaces.

**Material Selection and Sustainability**

The choice of materials reflects a commitment to environmental sustainability and durability. Key materials include Taun wood for its aesthetic qualities, recycled steel for structural integrity, and concrete for thermal insulation. Additionally, aluminum composite is utilized in ceilings to enhance natural light while minimizing heat gain, and insulated glass is incorporated to reduce heat transfer without sacrificing views. A rainwater harvesting system further underscores the sustainable design ethos, ensuring a reliable source of water in a resource-limited environment.

Incorporating the traditional badgir system enables efficient temperature regulation, while solar panels on the roof provide renewable energy, significantly reducing the building’s reliance on external power sources. The villa also features multifunctional spaces designed to adapt to different needs, allowing areas such as libraries to transform into workspaces as required.

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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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