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Honeycomb Modules for Resilient Community Living in High-Altitude Environments

Author:
Gang Mao
Honeycomb Modules for Resilient Community Living in High-Altitude Environments
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Constructed with modular honeycomb elements, the design integrates cost-effective wood to create adaptable living spaces that address the needs of communities in high-altitude disaster-prone areas.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular design allows for rapid assembly and adaptability to various functions.
02
Honeycomb-inspired architecture enhances structural integrity and efficiency.
03
Cost-effective wood reduces materials expenses while promoting sustainability.
04
High-altitude placement addresses climate-specific challenges and resilience.
05
Integrated communal spaces foster social interaction and community cohesion.

"The Reconstruction of Living" focuses on the needs of communities impacted by natural disasters, particularly in high-altitude locations such as Tibet. It presents a multi-functional design that prioritizes modularity, creating structures capable of providing immediate shelter and longer-term habitation solutions. The aim is to blend practical living spaces with community interaction, addressing the complex challenges faced by those displaced.

Modular Structure

The project employs a modular construction method that allows for great flexibility in design. Each module can serve different purposes, such as housing, education, and healthcare. This adaptable approach enables quick responses to changing community needs, fostering social connections among residents in the process.

Bionic Design Principles

The design draws inspiration from bionic architecture, incorporating shapes similar to honeycombs. This design choice makes construction efficient and enhances the buildings' structural integrity. By mimicking natural forms, the approach promotes sustainability while ensuring safety in regions prone to earthquakes.

Material Selection

Fast-growing wood is the main construction material used in the design. This choice is practical, lowering costs while also supporting environmental sustainability. The lightweight properties of wood, together with the hexagonal shapes of the modules, bolster their mechanical strength, which is important for safety in seismic areas.

Climate Adaptability

A thorough understanding of the local climate influences the design of these structures. Factors such as sunlight, rain, and snow are considered in the planning. This careful attention allows the buildings to perform well in various weather conditions. The organization of communal spaces takes advantage of natural light and airflow, improving the overall living experience for residents.

The roof design features careful slopes and channels that manage rainwater effectively. This detail not only supports sustainability goals but also helps maintain the functionality of the structures over time, ensuring that they remain resilient in challenging climatic environments.

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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

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