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Elevated Living With Corrugated Metal and Timber Framework Ensuring Sustainable Community Integration

Author:
Benjamin John De Mussenden Leathes
Elevated Living With Corrugated Metal and Timber Framework Ensuring Sustainable Community Integration

Project in-detail

Constructed with corrugated metal and timber, the elevated living pods seamlessly integrate into their environment, offering a compact yet functional communal space that promotes sustainable living for community inhabitants.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated design utilizes posts to minimize ground disruption and preserve local ecosystems.
02
Modular construction allows for easy adaptation to various site conditions and community needs.
03
Large glass panels enhance natural light and connectivity with the surrounding environment.
04
Materials are locally sourced to reduce transportation emissions and support regional economies.
05
The communal spaces are designed for flexibility, fostering interaction among residents.

### Overview and Concept

The People Pods project presents a minimalist living solution that addresses sustainable development needs in various global regions. This initiative focuses on fostering community connections through shared living experiences, emphasizing communal spaces such as larger kitchens and living areas, despite the compact dimensions of the structures.

### Spatial Configuration and Materiality

Each pod is designed as a single-story structure with a compact footprint that integrates into rural landscapes. The linear form minimizes environmental impact while ensuring functionality within limited space. The construction employs sustainable materials, including timber for framing, corrugated metal for durability, and large glass panels that enhance natural light and outdoor connectivity. Local sourcing of materials further reduces transportation emissions and supports regional economies.

Strategically elevated on posts, each pod preserves the existing landscape and minimizes disruption to local ecosystems. This foundation design also simplifies deconstruction and mitigates long-term environmental effects. Additional sustainability features include roof-mounted solar panels for renewable energy, potential rainwater harvesting systems, and suggestions for green roofs to enhance insulation and local biodiversity.

### Functional Layout and Community Engagement

The interior design maximizes utility through an open-concept layout, promoting flexibility and comfort in living and sleeping areas. Multi-function spaces facilitate various uses, such as a combined storage and workspace provision. The layout also emphasizes a strong relationship with outdoor areas, featuring accessible storage for gardening tools or bikes, thus encouraging an active lifestyle and connection with nature.

Community-centric design elements, including shared kitchen and living spaces, are integral to the project, aiming to reduce isolation in modern living. The adaptable nature of the pods allows for responsiveness to differing site conditions and inhabitants' needs, ensuring that the design remains relevant and effective throughout its lifecycle.

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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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