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Earth Walls and Banana Leaves Form a Sustainable Microhome Emphasizing Community Resilience

Author:
Mattéo Thibaut Maurice Richard
Earth Walls and Banana Leaves Form a Sustainable Microhome Emphasizing Community Resilience

Project in-detail

Constructed with earth walls and banana leaves, this microhome utilizes local materials and sustainable practices to foster community interaction and resilience in Madagascar.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed entirely from locally sourced materials, including earth and banana leaves.
02
The bent A-frame design enhances natural ventilation and rainwater collection.
03
Integrates photovoltaic panels for renewable energy use in a compact footprint.
04
Features communal garden spaces to promote food security and social interaction.
05
Emphasizes traditional construction techniques to support local craftsmanship.

### Overview
The Earth Shelter microhome is located on the island of Madagascar, strategically designed to meet local housing demands while emphasizing ecological sustainability and social inclusiveness. The project addresses the unique climatic conditions of the region through design elements that promote self-sufficiency, environmental responsibility, and community engagement.

### Spatial Strategy and Community Integration
The microhome's compact form optimizes space utilization and integrates with the surrounding community, enhancing social interactions among residents. The triangular structure is engineered to facilitate natural ventilation and effective rainwater harvesting. Housing clusters are organized around communal gardens, fostering cooperation and strengthening community ties while addressing food security through shared cultivation efforts.

### Materiality and Environmental Consideration
The construction employs locally sourced materials to minimize environmental impact and bolster the local economy. Earth serves as the primary material for load-bearing walls, providing natural insulation. Structural elements and furnishings feature durable ebony wood, while panels crafted from banana leaves showcase traditional craftsmanship. Photovoltaic panels are incorporated to harness solar energy, ensuring sustainable power’s independent use. The roof's tensioned fabric is designed for waterproofing and aesthetics, further enhancing the building's functionality.

The microhome efficiently balances modern design with traditional methods, creating distinct zones for privacy and communal living. Thoughtful interior arrangements include essential living spaces, supplemented by external features that support vertical farming, contributing to food resilience and environmental sustainability. Each design aspect reflects a commitment to minimizing carbon footprints and fostering cultural heritage through local construction 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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