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Exploring Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber in a Community-Focused Workspace

Authors:
Morong Lin, Siyu Wang
Exploring Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber in a Community-Focused Workspace

Project in-detail

Incorporating charred wooden shingles and cross-laminated timber, the design creates an inviting workspace that fosters community interaction while reflecting local craftsmanship.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates charred wooden shingles for improved durability and weather resistance.
02
Utilizes cross-laminated timber panels to enhance structural stability and reduce weight.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that maximizes interior space and natural light.
04
Integrates indoor gardens to promote biodiversity and improve air quality.
05
Emphasizes local craftsmanship, reflecting traditional woodworking techniques in the facade.

### Project Overview

Located in Dongguan, China, this office design aims to celebrate traditional woodworking while creating a contemporary workspace that reflects regional cultural practices and ecological considerations. The project serves as an interactive environment, promoting creativity, collaboration, and community engagement within a sculptural framework. Positioned near business districts and recreational parks, it facilitates accessibility for both professionals and the public, enhancing interaction with the surrounding urban life.

### Materiality and Sustainability

The architectural approach prioritizes the use of local materials, emphasizing the employment of Chinese wood to reflect cultural significance and support sustainability. This choice not only enhances the aesthetic quality of the structure but also contributes to its structural integrity. Concrete and steel are utilized for their durability in foundational and support elements, while glass is incorporated to maximize natural light and visibility. By sourcing materials locally, the design minimizes transportation emissions and promotes the use of renewable resources, aligning with contemporary sustainable building practices.

### Spatial Configuration and User Experience

The interior layout is designed to accommodate diverse user needs, featuring open workstations that encourage collaboration, private spaces for focused work, and communal areas for informal gatherings. Each space is adaptable, allowing for future changes in response to evolving user requirements. The integration of indoor and outdoor gardens adds green spaces that enhance occupant well-being, while sculptural elements—such as a carved facade and elevated tracks—create a dynamic interaction within the space. These features not only blur the lines between work and social engagement but also embody a playful relationship between form and function.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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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