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Dry Toilets and Green Roofs in A Modular Microhome Using Local Materials

Authors:
Jeremy Cyrille Barla Ekwe, Nelson Christian Ndjoune Kosso, Marion Limouzy, Caroline Veronique Engome épouse Barla Ekwe
Dry Toilets and Green Roofs in A Modular Microhome Using Local Materials

Project in-detail

Constructed with local clay bricks and featuring dry toilets alongside green roofs, the microhome promotes sustainability and community resilience while providing essential housing in a challenging urban environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes local clay bricks for improved thermal regulation.
02
Integrates dry toilets to enhance water conservation efforts.
03
Features green roofs that support local biodiversity and food production.
04
Encourages communal living through strategically designed shared spaces.
05
Incorporates rainwater harvesting systems for sustainable resource management.

## Project Overview

Situated in New Bell, Douala, Cameroon, the Terra 25 Microhome project addresses the pressing need for sustainable housing in a community marked by socio-economic challenges and historical unrest. The intention is to integrate functional living spaces within the urban fabric, enhancing community cohesion and ensuring access to vital resources. This initiative emphasizes the principles of ecological sustainability while fostering self-sufficiency among residents.

### Spatial Organization and Community Engagement

The design adopts a tiered structure to optimize space and enhance communal interaction. Ground-level gardens facilitate vegetable cultivation, encouraging residents to engage in food production. The first level features a semi-public courtyard that organizes living spaces around an internal pedestrian street, promoting accessibility and social connection. A secondary roof structure improves air circulation and provides shade, creating a conducive microclimate for the tropical environment.

### Materiality and Sustainability Initiatives

The project utilizes locally sourced materials to minimize the carbon footprint and support the local economy. Key components include local clay bricks for structural integrity, metal sheeting for roofing—facilitating the installation of solar panels—and concrete foundations that enhance stability in flood-prone areas. Additionally, dry toilets are integrated into the design, addressing crucial waste management issues while promoting composting and nutrient recycling. The inclusion of green roofs and vegetable planters not only enhances biodiversity but directly links housing with food production, a vital aspect in a region facing food insecurity.

Through these design elements, the Terra 25 Microhome exemplifies a practical and scalable approach to sustainable 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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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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