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Dynamic Light Modulation Through Curvilinear Forms and Wood Louvers in a Sustainable Residential Setting

Dynamic Light Modulation Through Curvilinear Forms and Wood Louvers in a Sustainable Residential Setting
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Curvilinear forms combined with dynamic light modulation through wood louvers create a home in the USA that enhances the daily experience of natural illumination for a couple living without artificial light.
5 key facts about this project
01
Curvilinear exterior enhances the home's integration with the surrounding landscape.
02
Dynamic light modulation minimizes reliance on artificial lighting throughout the day.
03
Wood louvers allow adjustable shading to optimize natural light in living spaces.
04
Constructed using cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and sustainability.
05
Charred wooden shingles provide a unique texture while enhancing durability and weather resistance.

### Project Overview

The Diurnal House is a conceptual residential design focused on maximizing natural light. Designed for a hypothetical couple living without artificial illumination, the project explores the interactions between architecture and the sun's daily path, aiming to enhance the inhabitants' connection to the natural environment. This design considers the cyclical nature of daily living and the effects of light on mood and atmosphere throughout different times of day.

### Spatial Strategy

The architectural layout of the Diurnal House employs a simplified linear configuration that allows for distinct zones, each receiving sunlight during specific periods. Key areas include a morning space that captures the warmth of the rising sun, a vibrant lunch area designed for bright midday light, and a tranquil evening space that offers soft illumination as the day concludes. This organized spatial arrangement enhances the functionality and comfort of daily routines by providing differentiated environments throughout the day.

### Materiality and Sustainability

Innovative material choices are fundamental to the design of the Diurnal House. Reinforced concrete provides structural integrity while enabling fluid forms, and large glass openings facilitate light penetration, creating a strong connection to the outdoors. Wood louvers enhance light modulation within the interior, allowing for adjustable shade and contributing to the overall sustainability of the dwelling. Together, these materials promote energy efficiency and passive solar gain, aligning the design with contemporary sustainability principles.

### Unique Design Features

The Diurnal House incorporates distinctive elements that distinguish it from conventional residential architectures. Dynamic light modulation is achieved through strategically positioned louvers and skylights that adaptively channel daylight, creating varied interior atmospheres. The use of curvilinear forms introduces an organic aesthetic, reinforcing the theme of harmony with nature. Additionally, varying ceiling heights introduce visual interest while facilitating personal interactions with light and shadow, ensuring that occupants engage deeply with their environment. The design also emphasizes connections between interior spaces and the surrounding landscape, enabling inhabitants to experience nature continuously without compromising comfort.

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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.

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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

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