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Gravity-Fed Coffee House Crafted from Shipping Containers with Charred Wooden Shingles and Recycled Materials

Authors:
Philip Faccenda, Tyler Marshall, Scott Miller
Gravity-Fed Coffee House Crafted from Shipping Containers with Charred Wooden Shingles and Recycled Materials

Project in-detail

Crafted from repurposed shipping containers and incorporating charred wooden shingles, the coffee house utilizes gravity-fed water systems to enhance its eco-friendly design while serving as a compact urban gathering space.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted from repurposed shipping containers to promote sustainability.
02
Incorporates charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and aesthetic appeal.
03
Features a gravity-fed water system optimized for efficient coffee brewing.
04
The bent A-frame design uniquely combines modern aesthetics with functionality.
05
Customizable facade allows integration with diverse urban environments.

### Overview

The Big Tiny Coffee House project is designed as a sustainable coffee kiosk intended for urban environments, with initial installations planned for Copenhagen and Helsinki. The design seeks to blend contemporary aesthetics with historical architectural influences while prioritizing environmental sustainability through the use of recyclable materials. This modular coffee house concept reflects an evolving urban coffee culture and aims to provide efficient service in a compact form.

### Spatial Adaptability and Modular Design

The coffee house utilizes prefabricated modular shipping containers, selected for their structural robustness and flexibility. These elements facilitate both rapid construction and the potential for relocation, catering to a range of urban settings. Measuring 8 by 15 feet, the footprint of the kiosk can be easily modified to fit diverse public and private venues. The adaptable facade enhances integration with local architectural styles, allowing for a customized appearance that reflects the surrounding context.

### Material Selection and Resource Efficiency

Construction focuses on sustainable materials, with an emphasis on fully recycled components, reinforcing the project's commitment to environmental stewardship. Gravity-fed storage tanks are included for the efficient storage of spring water, which is essential for coffee preparation. Additionally, an innovative lighting system highlights the kiosk's angular silhouette while improving visibility at night. This thoughtful selection of materials and systems reflects an overarching goal of resource efficiency, aligning with broader principles of sustainable urban living.

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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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