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Elevated Living Spaces With Aluminum Panels and Natural Wood Warmth

Authors:
Cristóbal Andrés Hernández Berríos, Carlos Torres
Elevated Living Spaces With Aluminum Panels and Natural Wood Warmth

Project in-detail

Elevated structures made from aluminum panels and warm timber offer adaptable housing solutions tailored to the diverse climates of Chile, addressing both environmental resilience and community integration.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated design to mitigate temperature extremes in the Atacama Desert.
02
Modular system allows for customizable living configurations.
03
Integration with existing urban social housing to foster community.
04
Use of aluminum panels for enhanced weather resistance and insulation.
05
Incorporation of natural wood finishes for warmth and aesthetic appeal.

### Overview

The Mara Mori House is an architectural design project intended to address housing challenges across diverse regions of Chile, including the Atacama Desert, coastal areas, and urban environments within the Metropolitan Region. Drawing inspiration from Pablo Neruda's poem "Ode to my Socks," the project emphasizes the significance of simplicity, utility, and beauty in everyday objects, integrating these themes into a modular housing framework that is adaptable to the specific needs of its various contexts.

### Regional Adaptability

**Atacama Desert Context**
The design tackles the harsh environmental conditions characteristic of the Atacama Desert, including extreme temperatures and water scarcity. Elevated structures are employed to mitigate these challenges, utilizing a modular system that allows for scalability and evolution based on the inhabitants' changing needs.

**Coastal Areas**
In coastal regions, the architecture is designed with resilience measures against climate change and potential flooding, employing elevated platforms to enhance safety and durability.

**Urban Context**
Centered in the Metropolitan Region, the design seeks to promote community engagement through the use of rooftops from existing social housing. This approach addresses urban density by fostering collaboration and communal living among residents.

### Materiality

The project employs a carefully selected palette of materials, contributing to both its aesthetic and functional performance.

**Structural Components**
- **Steel profiles** provide structural integrity and durability across various contexts.
- **Wood** is used within the framework, enhancing sustainability and contributing warmth to the interior.

**Exterior Finishes**
- **Aluminum composite panels** offer weather resistance and insulation, adapting effectively to different climatic conditions.
- **Elastic fabric** is incorporated in roof structures for added flexibility.

**Interior Elements**
- **Melamine cabinetry** ensures practicality in kitchens and storage areas while maintaining a stylish appearance.
- **Gypsum board** is utilized for its ease of construction within interior spaces.

Overall, the Mara Mori House presents an adaptable and environmentally mindful approach to housing, underscoring its commitment to modular design, sustainability, and community-oriented spaces.

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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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