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Humanitarian Facilities With Insulated Metal Panels and Glass Walls

Authors:
Rebecca Schwartz, Justin Weaver, Cat Terak, Amanda Sovich
Humanitarian Facilities With Insulated Metal Panels and Glass Walls

Project in-detail

Constructed using insulated metal panels and expansive glass walls, the design integrates modular containers to create functional facilities for community health and recreation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed from repurposed shipping containers, allowing for easy transport and reconfiguration.
02
Features glass walls that enhance natural light and blur indoor-outdoor boundaries.
03
Incorporates insulated metal panels for energy efficiency and durability.
04
Designed with modularity to adapt to changing community needs and functions.
05
Serves multiple purposes, including health support and recreational activities.

The architectural design project innovatively reimagines construction containers into adaptable, permanent structures. Located in various community settings, these facilities serve multiple purposes and integrate with their surroundings. The design centers around a construction container cube, allowing for a flexible approach that meets the varied needs of users through modular forms.

Design Concept

The project uses a basic cube shape to explore concepts like indoor versus outdoor spaces and the idea of stationary versus portable structures. This approach enhances user experience by creating environments that invite social interaction and encourage community engagement. Flexibility is key, as different functions can be accommodated within the same design framework.

Principal Forms

Three main forms emerge from the project: the First Aid (Humanitarian) Cube, the 72-hour Retreat Cube, and the Library/Wine & Bar Cube. Each form addresses specific user needs while contributing to an overall structure that balances functionality and engagement. The First Aid Cube serves as a mobile resource in emergencies, while the Retreat Cube promotes a relationship with nature, featuring large glass walls that blur the border between inside and out.

Material Selection

Material choices play a significant role in the project. Insulated metal panels and prefinished metal surfaces are prominently used. These materials offer durability and require low maintenance, aligning with goals for sustainability. They also enhance the visual consistency of the structures, ensuring that each variation remains functional and visually appealing in community settings.

Design Details

Modularity in the construction containers allows for easy transport and reconfiguration, making them adaptable to shifting community needs. Attention to detail can be seen in the interior design, with spaces crafted to encourage comfort and interaction. Varied seating arrangements and designated relaxation areas enhance the user experience. This thoughtful approach ensures that the facilities not only fulfill immediate needs but are also set to evolve within the community they serve.

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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
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