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Elevated Living with Glass Facades and Local Stone in an Alpine Community

Author:
Galaad Albert Milas
Elevated Living with Glass Facades and Local Stone in an Alpine Community

Project in-detail

Constructed with a foundation of local stone and expansive glass facades, this elevated residence in the French Alps offers a seamless blend of modern living and environmental integration within a community-focused design.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated structure minimizes land disruption while maximizing views.
02
Modular cubic forms allow for flexible internal configurations.
03
Local stone is integrated into the facade, blending with the alpine environment.
04
Extensive glass facades enhance natural lighting and connectivity to the outdoors.
05
Light wells facilitate passive heating and airflow throughout the living spaces.

## Project Overview

Located at an altitude of 1000 meters in the French Alps, the Edge Mountain design project is positioned within a rugged landscape that emphasizes both its natural beauty and functional living requirements. The primary intent of the project is to harmonize the built environment with the surrounding alpine terrain, creating a residential space that offers both comfort and aesthetic value while maintaining an ongoing relationship with nature.

## Spatial Configuration and User Experience

The architectural layout is centered around a series of modular cubic forms that respond directly to the sloped topography, fostering a balance between privacy and communal interaction. The living spaces are strategically oriented with expansive windows that frame views of the mountains and provide a strong connection to the outdoors. Circulation areas are designed with light wells that facilitate movement while enhancing the overall sense of openness. The interior spaces are intentionally flexible, allowing for reconfiguration to accommodate various activities and occupancy levels.

## Material Selection and Sustainability

The selection of materials is critical to the project's resilience against the harsh alpine climate. Concrete serves as the fundamental structural element, providing stability, while stone accents on certain facades offer a textural connection to the nearby natural environment. Large glass panels enhance interior illumination and seamlessly integrate visual access to the landscape. The elevated design minimizes disturbance to the ecosystem, preserving the natural flora and fauna below, while passive solar strategies such as strategic window placement contribute to energy efficiency by reducing reliance on artificial lighting and heating.

Advanced technical methods, including integrated cross beam systems and modular construction techniques, further reinforce both the structural integrity and adaptability of the design, promoting longevity and potential future modifications.

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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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