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Integrating Solar Panels and Rock Wool Insulation in Modular Timber Housing Solutions

Author:
Esra şahi̇n
Integrating Solar Panels and Rock Wool Insulation in Modular Timber Housing Solutions

Project in-detail

Modular units crafted from sandwich wood panels and equipped with solar panels and rock wool insulation provide a sustainable living solution designed for communities recovering from natural disasters.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular units allow for rapid assembly and reconfiguration in response to changing community needs.
02
Each unit incorporates solar panels for self-sustaining energy use in off-grid environments.
03
Rock wool insulation enhances thermal performance while being fire-resistant and eco-friendly.
04
Movable wooden laths on the exterior provide adaptable light and ventilation control for residents.
05
The design includes a central communal pavilion to foster social interaction among residents.

### Overview
Located in Turkey, a region historically vulnerable to seismic events, this housing project aims to provide resilient solutions for displaced populations. By focusing on immediate shelter needs and long-term sustainability, it seeks to foster community resilience while optimizing available resources. The design incorporates residential, communal, and infrastructural elements, addressing not only the urgency of disaster recovery but also the potential for social integration.

### Spatial Layout and Community Integration
The project features a carefully planned site layout comprising multi-functional units arranged to facilitate communal spaces and pathways. Visual symmetry enhances navigation within the living environment, encouraging social interaction while maintaining privacy. A central communal pavilion serves as a shared hub for activities, reinforcing community ties. Each housing unit is designed as a hybrid space, merging living, working, and recreational functions to meet modern lifestyle requirements. The modular approach allows for straightforward future expansion or reconfiguration, adapting to evolving community needs.

### Material Utilization and Sustainability
A strong emphasis on sustainable and locally sourced materials underpins the project's design strategy. Key materials include sandwich wood panels, pine plywood, rock wool insulation, and galvanized steel profiles, each selected for their structural properties and transportability. The integration of solar panels into the roof system supports energy self-sufficiency, while features such as movable wooden laths enable residents to adjust their living conditions for light and ventilation. The design also incorporates passive ventilation techniques and strategically placed vegetation to enhance indoor climate regulation and promote biodiversity.

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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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