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Foldable Facade and Indoor Garden in a Compact Home Constructed with Natural Stone and Nano-Fiber Insulation

Author:
Cedric Patrick Thomas Carle
Foldable Facade and Indoor Garden in a Compact Home Constructed with Natural Stone and Nano-Fiber Insulation

Project in-detail

With a foldable facade that seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor spaces, this compact home employs natural stone and advanced insulation materials to create a sustainable living environment in an efficient footprint.
5 key facts about this project
01
The home utilizes a foldable facade to enhance indoor-outdoor connectivity.
02
Natural stone is employed for both structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.
03
Advanced nano-fiber insulation provides superior thermal performance.
04
An integrated indoor garden contributes to air quality and wellness.
05
Solar panels are seamlessly incorporated into the design for energy efficiency.

## Architectural Design Report: Essential Micro Home

### Overview

The Essential Micro Home is situated within a sandy landscape and is designed with a focus on sustainability, privacy, and efficient space utilization. With a compact footprint of 25 square meters, the structure incorporates two primary volumes—Day and Night—along with an internal garden that enhances livability. The intent of the design is to create various spaces that foster different levels of intimacy and privacy, catering to the diverse needs of its occupants.

### Spatial Organization and User Experience

The interior layout prioritizes functionality and comfort, comprising distinct areas for different activities. The living area serves as the central gathering space, designed to facilitate interaction while promoting openness. The kitchen and dining area provide a functional yet inviting environment for culinary activities and communal dining experiences. In contrast, the bedroom is positioned for tranquility, ensuring privacy away from communal spaces. The internal garden is a pivotal feature, integrating nature into daily living, while a swimming pool adjacent to the garden enhances recreational opportunities and visual interest.

### Material Selection and Sustainability Features

The Essential Micro Home utilizes local and eco-friendly materials to minimize its environmental impact. Key materials include natural stone for structural integrity, nano-fiber insulation that provides superior thermal and acoustic performance, and holographic film on glass to optimize energy efficiency without sacrificing natural light. Additionally, recycled materials are incorporated throughout the design.

Sustainability measures include the installation of solar panels to harness renewable energy, water management systems to conserve water, and innovative ventilation strategies to ensure adequate air circulation in a hot, arid climate. The incorporation of a foldable façade allows the living space to blend seamlessly with the outdoor terrace, enhancing the overall living experience while showcasing an effective use of space and resources.

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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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