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Durable Steel Framed Shelter Featuring QuadCore Insulation for Earthquake Resilience

Authors:
Mehmet Doruk Topkaya, şevin Erkenek
Durable Steel Framed Shelter Featuring QuadCore Insulation for Earthquake Resilience

Project in-detail

Constructed with a hollow steel frame and enhanced by QuadCore insulation, this modular housing solution offers resilience against seismic activity while providing essential living space for displaced communities.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with a hollow steel frame for enhanced seismic resilience.
02
Utilizes QuadCore insulation panels for superior thermal efficiency.
03
Designed for rapid assembly and reconfiguration in disaster settings.
04
Incorporates a rainwater harvesting system to promote water sustainability.
05
Features adaptable living spaces with integrated storage solutions.

### Overview and Context
Located in Turkey’s earthquake-prone regions, including Kahramanmaraş, Adıyaman, and Gaziantep, the Micro-Neighborhood project focuses on innovative housing solutions aimed at enhancing community resilience during post-disaster recovery. The initiative employs modular construction techniques to facilitate rapid assembly, enabling efficient deployment and adaptability to the needs of displaced individuals. The project aims to foster recovery while providing self-sufficient living environments through the integration of sustainable practices and modern building technologies.

### Spatial Configuration and Functional Design
The design centers on a compact, 25-square-meter modular microhouse that emphasizes spatial efficiency without sacrificing livability. The layout is thoughtfully segmented into three functional zones: a living area, a wet space (which includes kitchen and bathroom facilities), and sleeping quarters. This strategic division enhances daily operations within the limited footprint. Adaptable furniture, such as foldable tables and integrated storage solutions, increases flexibility, allowing the space to accommodate families, single occupants, or communal living arrangements as necessary.

### Sustainable Practices and Materials
The Micro-Neighborhood incorporates several sustainable features to promote self-sufficiency and resource conservation. Solar photovoltaic panels enable energy generation, while built-in solar nightlights reduce dependence on external power sources. Additionally, a rainwater harvesting system is integrated to ensure water accessibility for hygiene and landscaping essential in post-disaster contexts. The project’s material choices emphasize durability and thermal efficiency, utilizing QuadCore LEC insulated roof panels, a hollow section steel frame, and rock wool insulation, which collectively enhance the unit's resilience against seismic activity. Each element has been deliberately selected to create a robust yet lightweight structure capable of withstanding future challenges.

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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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