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Ivy-Covered Ribbon-Shell Residence Embracing Forest Shadows

Author:
Sofiia Trybakova
Ivy-Covered Ribbon-Shell Residence Embracing Forest Shadows
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Covered in ivy and designed with a ribbon-shell that nurtures a dialogue with shifting shadows, the residence serves as a tranquil retreat harmonizing with its forest surroundings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Covered in ivy, the ribbon-shell design connects the structure to the surrounding forest.
02
Shadows from nearby trees play across the interior, creating a dynamic light experience.
03
Vertical and horizontal window placements invite nature inside throughout the day.
04
The design prioritizes intimacy, blending indoor and outdoor living seamlessly.
05
Walls serve as screens for the unique patterns of light and shadow.

The design is located in a deciduous forest, where it creates a close relationship between the built structure and the natural world. Serving as a residence, the design emphasizes the play of light and shadow, focusing on how these elements change with time. The concept centers on blending the home into its surroundings, encouraging residents to connect with nature in a meaningful way.

Integration of Light and Shadow

The overall form of the building is simple and unobtrusive, allowing the surrounding trees and plants to dominate the visual landscape. Details are kept to a minimum, allowing the design to act as a quiet participant in the environment. The walls serve as screens, capturing the playful shadows created by the nearby vegetation. This approach enhances the bond between the home and its surroundings and fosters a feeling of closeness within the living spaces.

Window Placement and Transparency

The design features carefully positioned vertical and horizontal windows, which allow sunlight to filter into the building. These windows are essential for bringing the outside in and enable the shadows to dance across the interior. As daylight changes throughout the day, the shifting patterns of light create a vibrant atmosphere. In this way, the home offers a constant engagement with the forest, enriching the everyday experiences of those who live there.

Materiality and Encapsulation

A ribbon-shell wraps around the structure, providing protective cladding while also facilitating interaction with sunlight. Ivy covers this external layer, tying the home to its natural setting. Together, the materials enhance the character of the design. The foliage casts intricate shadows that shift with the light, creating an environment that transforms throughout the day, continually connecting the inside to the outside.

As daylight moves through the spaces, the playful shadows remind residents of their place within the forest. This interaction fosters a deeper appreciation for nature, as the shadows create a lively backdrop against which everyday life unfolds.

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Enter an open architecture
competition now

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Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
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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

Open architecture competitions

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    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
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Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 18 September 2025

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