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Cylindrical Columns and Winter Garden in a Sustainable Community Home

Authors:
Bárbara Marín, Adolfo Montilva
Cylindrical Columns and Winter Garden in a Sustainable Community Home

Project in-detail

Cylindrical columns support a large circular space, while a winter garden adjacent to the kitchen enhances sustainable living in a community home designed for accessibility and connection with nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cylindrical timber trunks are used as structural columns in an elliptical arrangement.
02
A winter garden next to the kitchen supports the growth of medicinal plants.
03
The design features three distinct entrances enhancing accessibility.
04
Solar panels are integrated to promote energy efficiency.
05
Dry toilets facilitate organic waste management through a dedicated collection system.

The SPIRALA COMMUNITY HOME is located in a tranquil natural setting, designed to enhance community interaction through its spiral form. The home functions as a versatile space, prioritizing accessibility and encouraging connections among its users. The overall design features curved lines that create a welcoming environment, making movement and communication easier. With a footprint that respects the landscape, the building allows for a harmonious relationship with nature.

Architecture Concept

The building is based on the idea of spirals, which influences its shape and layout. The curves facilitate smooth circulation between different areas, promoting both accessibility and visual connections with the outdoors. Three entrances have been incorporated, making it easy for people to enter and engage with the surrounding landscape. An adjacent staircase leads to an existing road, enabling users to access the spaces below the building without difficulty.

Materials and Structure

Timber plays a central role in the design, with warm wall and floor finishes that create an inviting atmosphere. Cylindrical timber trunks serve as columns, arranged in an elliptical pattern that reflects the spiral concept. At the core of the design is a large circular space that encourages visual communication with adjacent areas, fostering a sense of community among users.

Sustainability Features

Sustainability is an important aspect of the design, highlighted by the placement of solar panels on the roof. This feature is supported by a green roof that helps reduce solar heat gain. A winter garden located next to the kitchen captures sunlight, allowing for the growth of various medicinal plants. The kitchen also uses glass to maximize light, creating an open feel. Additionally, dry toilets are accessed through a perimeter corridor, enhancing organic waste management and demonstrating a commitment to ecological practices.

Interior Organization

The kitchen's strategic location as part of the access space enhances visual connections with the central circular area. Utility spaces feature materials like galvanised steel and ceramic, chosen for their practicality. Timber flooring is used in the corridors, adding warmth and texture. Railings made from fabric with natural fiber ropes emphasize an eco-friendly approach throughout the building.

Every aspect of the design reinforces a focus on user experience and environmental harmony. The thoughtful integration of natural elements and the layout encourage interaction, showcasing a dedication to creating a welcoming community space.

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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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