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Ivy-Wrapped Ribbon-Shell Residence Embracing Forest Shadows

Author:
Sofiia Trybakova
Ivy-Wrapped Ribbon-Shell Residence Embracing Forest Shadows

Project in-detail

Wrapped in a living facade of ivy, this residence harmonizes with its deciduous forest surroundings while maximizing the interplay of light and shadow throughout its interior spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Wrapped in ivy, the ribbon-shell design fosters a living connection with the surrounding forest.
02
The layout maximizes natural light, creating dynamic shadow patterns throughout the day.
03
Vertical and horizontal windows blur the boundaries between inside and outside spaces.
04
Shadows play a key role in ensuring privacy and protection from external views.
05
The residence adapts to seasonal changes, enhancing its integration with the environment.

The residence is set within a verdant deciduous forest, designed to blend with its environment while providing a retreat for those living within. It embodies the idea of transience, focusing on the movement and play of light and shadow that changes throughout the day. The design integrates functionality with a sensitivity to its surroundings, reflecting the natural rhythms of the landscape.

Design Concept
The core idea of the design revolves around the relationship between the building and its natural context, particularly how shadows cast by nearby trees and plants interact with the structure. The architecture functions as a canvas, allowing light and shadow to create a changing visual experience. This connection enables the house to be more than a physical space; it becomes part of the larger natural scene.

Integration with Nature
Instead of traditional shapes, the design favors clean geometric forms that allow shadows to move freely across the surfaces. The arrangement of windows encourages natural light to flow inside, filling the interior with shifting patterns. This intentional design fosters a strong link between the indoor and outdoor spaces, inviting awareness of the surrounding forest and its changing qualities.

Vegetative Elements
A distinctive feature of the residence is the ribbon-like shell that wraps around the structure. Ivy grows along this shell, connecting the building with the environment in a lively way. The greenery adds visual interest while offering privacy and shade, making the home feel more secluded despite its openness to nature.

Privacy and Protection
The design carefully considers privacy, using shadows to shield the house from outside views. This approach allows the residents to feel secure in their space while remaining aware of the natural beauty around them. As sunlight shifts, the play of light and shadow creates a diverse atmosphere, enriching the experience of living in this forest setting.

The interaction of light with the ivy-covered surfaces results in a constantly changing display of shapes and textures. Each moment in the home reflects the beauty of nature, offering a quiet appreciation of the world outside.

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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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