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Green Roof and Triple-Glazed Glass Define Sustainable Lakeside Living

Authors:
Alia Beyg, Alvin Chu, James Stone, Natalia Kochanska
Green Roof and Triple-Glazed Glass Define Sustainable Lakeside Living

Project in-detail

Incorporating a green roof and triple-glazed glass, the design emphasizes sustainability while providing a harmonious lakeside residence that connects occupants with the natural environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates a green roof system that enhances biodiversity and insulation.
02
Utilizes triple-glazed glass to maximize natural light and improve energy efficiency.
03
Employs locally sourced Western Red Cedar for sustainable facade construction.
04
Features a flexible open floor plan that promotes indoor-outdoor living.
05
Integrates permaculture principles in landscaping to minimize maintenance and water use.

**Project Overview**
The Harmonious Habitat is a contemporary residence located along the banks of Lake Okanagan in British Columbia, Canada. This project integrates sustainable architectural practices with a deep respect for the site’s ecological and cultural context. By focusing on the connection between the built environment and nature, the design aims to create a living space that enhances both the functionality for its inhabitants and engagement with the surrounding landscape.

**Biophilic Design Concept**
The design is rooted in biophilic principles, encouraging a harmonious relationship between occupants and the environment. This is achieved through open space layouts, organic forms, and ample natural light, which collectively foster a sense of tranquility and well-being. The structure is characterized by fluid lines and asymmetrical shapes that echo the natural topography, promoting movement and dynamism within the space.

**Material Strategy and Sustainability**
The exterior facade prominently features locally sourced Western Red Cedar, contributing to durability and aesthetic coherence with the landscape. Large triple-glazed glass panels enhance transparency while improving energy efficiency. Recycled aluminum frames complement the sustainable material selection. The roof incorporates a green design with sedum and native grasses, not only enhancing insulation but also promoting biodiversity. Further sustainability measures include solar panels for renewable energy, rainwater harvesting systems, and high-efficiency HVAC systems, all working together to minimize the building's environmental impact and support long-term ecological resilience.

Interior spaces emphasize flexibility with open floor plans that encourage connectivity and movement. The central living area extends into outdoor decks, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor environments. Natural stone flooring and reclaimed wood beams add warmth and texture, while the surrounding landscape employs permaculture principles to minimize maintenance and foster native plant growth.

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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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