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Integrating Recycled Timber Panels and Urban Agriculture in a Sustainable Mixed-Use Living Space

Authors:
Garbis Salakian, Mert Aydin
Integrating Recycled Timber Panels and Urban Agriculture in a Sustainable Mixed-Use Living Space

Project in-detail

Utilizing recycled timber panels and an integrated urban agriculture feature, the design creates a mixed-use living space that fosters community interaction and sustainability.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes a green shelf for urban agriculture within the kitchen area.
02
Features a rainwater harvesting system for efficient water management.
03
Incorporates trodleket acoustic tiles for sound insulation in communal spaces.
04
Recycled aluminum panels provide durability while enhancing energy efficiency.
05
The layout combines residential and commercial functions to foster community interaction.

### Overview

Yatai Home is situated in an urban district of Japan, designed to reflect the interplay between traditional Japanese values and modern urban living. Inspired by the "yatai," a traditional food stall, the project aims to create a functional habitat that fosters community engagement and sustainability. The primary objective is to facilitate a lifestyle in which residential and commercial spaces coexist, enhancing the daily experiences of its occupants.

### Spatial Organization

The spatial layout of Yatai Home is organized across multiple levels to maximize its compact footprint while maintaining distinct functional zones.

- **Ground Floor**: The design features a food stall area with an open kitchen facing the street, allowing for direct interaction between residents and the public. This area is complemented by service spaces that streamline movement and operations, with designated cooking and preparation zones that enhance efficiency.

- **Upper Levels**: The second floor contains a well-configured living space that accommodates dining, work, and relaxation. The flexible floor plan promotes communal living while providing privacy through strategically designed private quarters and bathrooms.

### Materiality and Sustainability

The material palette reflects an emphasis on sustainability and practicality.

- **Recycled Timber Panels** are utilized for structural and aesthetic purposes, contributing to a warm interior environment while aligning with sustainable practices.
- **Acoustic Ceiling Tiles** (Trodleket™ "V" Line) effectively manage sound between the kitchen and living areas, promoting a comfortable living experience.
- **Glass Finishes** enhance natural lighting and visual connectivity, ensuring environmental efficiency.
- **Recycled Aluminium Panels** provide durability and improve energy efficiency.

In terms of sustainable features, Yatai Home includes a rainwater harvesting system for household use, solar panels to support energy needs, and a green shelf for local food production. The design integrates flexible furniture and space-saving solutions, optimizing the limited area for productive, eco-conscious 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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