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Cross-Laminated Timber Panels and Charred Wood Form Sustainable Urban Living Solution

Author:
Gage Michael Madrid
Cross-Laminated Timber Panels and Charred Wood Form Sustainable Urban Living Solution

Project in-detail

Constructed with cross-laminated timber panels and accented by charred wood, this urban development offers flexible living spaces designed to foster community within a sustainable framework for affordable housing.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and rapid assembly.
02
Incorporates charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and fire resistance.
03
Features adaptable living units designed to accommodate diverse resident needs.
04
Includes communal green spaces that promote urban gardening and community engagement.
05
Designed with a bent A-frame shape to optimize natural light and ventilation.

**Project Overview**

Located in Los Angeles, this affordable housing initiative responds to the urgent need for accessible living spaces within urban settings. The design integrates compact housing units into a multifaceted residential block, fostering a sense of community while providing essential amenities for diverse residents. The proposal includes 180 tiny homes, strategically designed to accommodate various lifestyles, from digital nomads to families seeking a simpler way of living.

**Community-Centric Design**

The architectural approach emphasizes flexibility and adaptability, allowing residents to personalize their living environments while encouraging communal engagement. Shared facilities, such as a greenhouse, coffee shop, gym, library, workshop, and childcare spaces, are integral to the layout, promoting social interactions and fostering relationships among residents. The careful configuration of these shared areas supports a vibrant community atmosphere while maintaining individual privacy.

**Sustainable Material Selection**

Sustainability is a cornerstone of the design, with a focus on environmental responsibility and resource efficiency. Recycled plastics are utilized for specific façade elements, complementing wooden interiors that add warmth to living spaces. Industrial-grade durable materials are employed to ensure the structures are robust against urban wear, while expansive glass features enhance natural light and energy efficiency throughout the building. This combination of materials contributes to a functional yet aesthetically pleasing environment that aligns with contemporary sustainability practices.

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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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