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Hempwood Micro-Homes Featuring Recycled Brick Elements for Community Living

Author:
Nicole A Buchanan
Hempwood Micro-Homes Featuring Recycled Brick Elements for Community Living

Project in-detail

Constructed with waste-based bricks and hempwood, these micro-homes create a sustainable living environment designed to foster community and support cultural integration among newcomers in Geelong.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with 100% recycled waste-based bricks, enhancing sustainability.
02
Hempwood is used for interior finishes, improving indoor air quality.
03
Flexible layouts allow residents to customize their living spaces.
04
Shared communal kitchens foster cultural exchange and collaboration.
05
Green roofing integrates with local biodiversity and promotes sustainable practices.

### Overview

Located in Geelong, Victoria, the micro-home living initiative is designed to support new immigrants in Australia, specifically addressing the needs of an increasing Indian community. This proposal seeks to integrate social considerations with effective housing solutions, fostering cultural exchange and sustainable living within a growing population.

### Spatial Strategy and Community Integration

The design focuses on creating interconnected clusters of micro-homes, each of approximately 25m², to promote a cohesive community environment. Communal areas, including shared kitchens and gardens, encourage social interaction and facilitate a sense of belonging among residents. Interior spaces are adaptable, featuring sliding panels that enable residents to modify layouts according to their needs, thus balancing personal privacy with opportunities for community engagement.

### Material and Environmental Considerations

Emphasizing sustainability, the project utilizes a variety of eco-friendly materials selected for their durability and low environmental impact. Waste-based bricks and hempwood are incorporated to reduce the carbon footprint, while structural insulated panels (SIPs) enhance thermal efficiency. The green roof system contributes to local biodiversity, and integrated solar panels aid in achieving energy self-sufficiency. Additionally, passive design techniques, such as natural ventilation and rainwater harvesting, are implemented to optimize resource use and minimize environmental impact.

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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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