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Engaging Community Spaces with Recycled Bricks and Private Courtyards

Authors:
Mu dong Jung, Tracy Tan
Engaging Community Spaces with Recycled Bricks and Private Courtyards

Project in-detail

Recycled bricks form the foundation of a community-focused layout that seamlessly integrates private courtyards and communal spaces, designed specifically for wine enthusiasts seeking both connection and intimacy.
5 key facts about this project
01
Recycled bricks create dynamic shadow patterns throughout the day.
02
Private courtyards enhance quiet moments among communal activities.
03
Subterranean kitchen optimally preserves wine with stable humidity.
04
Dwellings transition from below ground to elevated views of the landscape.
05
Design emphasizes a strong connection to the surrounding natural environment.

The design, titled "AROMA," is located in an attractive landscape characterized by gentle hills and a backdrop of mountains. The focus is on cultivating an intimate atmosphere centered around the enjoyment of wine. The concept aims to create a space where residents can both socialize and retreat to personal solitude, offering a balanced environment for communal and individual experiences.

Spatial Arrangement
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The layout of AROMA carefully balances shared community areas with private living spaces. Dwellings are intentionally placed to facilitate interaction while ensuring that residents can find quiet moments when needed. This arrangement reflects a deep understanding of how community living can thrive, with social areas designed to draw people together without compromising personal space. Inviting warmth and connection are important elements in the design.

Integration with Nature
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The design holds a strong connection to the surrounding natural environment, responding thoughtfully to the site's features. Dwellings shift from below ground to above, allowing residents to experience different spatial qualities. This transition enhances the interaction between the interior spaces and the outside world. Sunlight and scenic views are maximized, contributing to a peaceful living environment. The relationship with nature is not merely visual; it is felt in how spaces are used day by day.

Materiality and Sustainability
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Recycled bricks from existing structures on the site are a key material in the design. This choice reflects a commitment to sustainable practices and acknowledges the local history. By reusing bricks, the project reduces waste and creates a visual connection to the past. The textured surfaces created by the bricks bring depth to the building, allowing light and shadow to play across the walls throughout the day.

Functional Design Features
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A communal kitchen located below ground serves as an essential feature, providing space for cooking and wine storage. This area benefits from consistent temperature and humidity, essential for preserving wine. This thoughtful design approach ensures that practical needs are met while maintaining an inviting atmosphere. Open private courtyards, adorned with brick walls, encourage residents to pause and enjoy moments of tranquility, particularly at sunset when the setting sun casts soft shadows across the spaces, creating a serene backdrop for relaxation.

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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

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