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Efficient Living with Cellulose Insulation and Integrated Vegetable Garden

Authors:
Lucile Moulin, Antoine De besombes singla
Efficient Living with Cellulose Insulation and Integrated Vegetable Garden

Project in-detail

Constructed with cellulose insulation and double-glazed windows, the microhome features an integrated vegetable garden that utilizes rainwater, providing essential housing for health-care workers in close proximity to urban healthcare facilities.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cellulose insulation enhances energy efficiency.
02
Integrated vegetable garden uses rainwater for irrigation.
03
Double-glazed windows optimize thermal comfort.
04
Prefabricated design allows for quick assembly.
05
Height variation creates distinct functional areas.

The Healthy Microhome serves as a practical response to the urgent housing needs of health-care workers, particularly during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. This compact dwelling aims to provide efficient living solutions that shorten commute times to hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The design emphasizes both comfort and functionality, offering a supportive environment for essential workers through careful consideration of spatial organization and natural elements.

Design Configuration
The microhome is designed within a footprint of 25 square meters, making the most of its limited space. It includes distinct areas such as an entrance vestibule, living room, functional kitchen, terrace, vegetable garden, bathroom, and bedroom. This clear layout separates private areas from communal spaces, allowing for personal rest while encouraging social interaction among occupants.

Spatial Dynamics
Strategic use of ceiling height enhances the overall experience within the home. The variation in height helps to define different functional spaces while maintaining a sense of openness. Each area is designed for specific activities, creating a balance between relaxation and practicality that adapts easily to the daily needs of its residents.

Sustainable Features
Environmental considerations play a significant role in the design. Cellulose wadding is used for insulation, which improves energy efficiency. Double-glazed windows help maintain comfortable indoor temperatures, while OSB panels and plasterboard provide durability along with flexibility in the interior layout. Solar panels are also included, making the microhome energy self-sufficient while minimizing its environmental impact.

Connection to Nature
The design encourages a connection to the outdoors through an attached terrace and a vegetable garden. The terrace offers a space for relaxation, while the garden allows residents to grow their own food, utilizing rainwater from the roof for watering. This integration enhances the overall living experience and promotes sustainability, particularly for individuals working in high-stress environments.

Large eaves and well-placed windows ensure that natural light fills the interior, contributing to a warm atmosphere in each room. The connection to outdoor spaces provides a refuge and functional area that supports urban gardening, adding value to daily life in a compact city setting.

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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
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