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Façade Cutouts and Biophilic Design Enhance Natural Light in a Modern Home Crafted from Layered Wood and Concrete

Author:
Michal Marták
Façade Cutouts and Biophilic Design Enhance Natural Light in a Modern Home Crafted from Layered Wood and Concrete

Project in-detail

Patterned cutouts in the façade allow light to dance across the interior, while the thoughtful integration of concrete and layered wood creates a modern dwelling that seamlessly connects with its natural surroundings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Patterned cutouts in the façade create dynamic light patterns throughout the day.
02
Cross-laminated timber panels enhance structural stability while minimizing waste.
03
Charred wooden shingles provide a protective layer that blends with the environment.
04
A bent A-frame design optimizes space and enhances natural ventilation.
05
The integration of an indoor atrium fosters biophilic connections to nature.

**Overview**

The House of Shadows is a residential design situated in a natural setting, emphasizing the interplay of light and shadow through its architectural forms. The project seeks to create a dynamic dialogue between the built environment and its surroundings, while exploring the relationship between natural light and living spaces. Strategically designed, the house enhances both atmosphere and functionality, responding to the historical human endeavor to manipulate light as a fundamental aspect of architecture.

**Exterior Design and Materiality**

The façade of the House of Shadows is distinguished by a pattern of cutouts that facilitate shifting light dynamics throughout the day. This design approach transforms the exterior into an active canvas, resulting in a vibrant interplay of light and shadow. The structural composition combines solid and void elements to create a visually engaging profile, while also allowing for integration with the natural landscape.

Material choices play a significant role in the design's aesthetic and functional qualities. Concrete provides structural integrity, while wood offers warmth and texture, resonating with the surrounding environment. Extensive glass surfaces promote transparency and maximize views, enriching the connection with nature. Decorative metal elements enhance both utility and visual interest, contributing to the overall contemporary expression of the residence.

**Spatial Organization and User Experience**

The interior layout is carefully designed to optimize natural light and spatial relationships. A grand foyer and functional hallways connect various areas of the home, inviting movement and exploration. The open-concept kitchen and living area foster social interaction and relaxation, enhanced by large windows that bring in ambient light. Additionally, an atrium features an indoor garden, serving as a visual focal point that merges external nature with the interior environment.

A specialized lighting strategy further enhances the living experience. Fixtures are thoughtfully positioned to enrich the functionality and aesthetics of the space, while the interplay of light on textured surfaces creates varied atmospheres throughout the day. The patterns cast by the façade add an evolving complexity to the interior ambiance, ultimately enriching the inhabitant's connection to their surroundings.

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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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