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Living Wall Facade Enveloping Natural Light in a Concrete Home

Authors:
Mark Anthony Tapalla Mendoza, Sheila Angeles Mendoza, Nicko Quevedo Huelar, Nicko Quevedoval Buhuelar
Living Wall Facade Enveloping Natural Light in a Concrete Home

Project in-detail

A living wall facade integrates vines with a concrete structure to create dynamic light patterns and enhance energy efficiency, all within a sustainable residential environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Living wall facade actively changes light patterns throughout the day.
02
Integration of vines enhances insulation and promotes biodiversity.
03
Central opening designed for optimal natural airflow across all living spaces.
04
Use of charred wooden shingles for weather resistance and aesthetic appeal.
05
Vine-covered surfaces provide seasonal changes in visual and textural qualities.

## Project Overview
Located within a thoughtfully curated landscape, "A Home of Living Shadows" exemplifies a modern approach to residential living that emphasizes ecological sensitivity and a strong connection with the natural environment. The project seeks to integrate human habitation with surrounding natural elements, prioritizing light, space, and sustainability in its design philosophy.

## Spatial Strategy
The design prioritizes natural light and interaction with the outdoors, featuring a central courtyard that showcases the interplay of shadows created by strategically positioned vegetation. This courtyard not only serves as a visual focal point but also facilitates the flow of light into the interior spaces, enhancing the overall living experience. Gathering spaces within the home are characterized by large openings that create a sense of openness and promote social interaction while maintaining visual connections to the landscape. Quiet areas are designed with smaller openings, allowing for reflective moments enhanced by subtle light.

## Materiality and Ecological Integration
Materials selected for construction reflect a commitment to sustainability, emphasizing durability and aesthetic harmony with the environment. The use of **concrete** provides structural integrity while allowing for versatile forms, while **glass** is strategically employed to maximize natural light and views. The integration of **vines** in the facade creates a dynamic living wall that evolves throughout the seasons, adding visual interest and improving insulation. Additionally, the incorporation of **natural stone** in wall finishes serves to enhance the tactile quality of the home, further embedding it within its ecological context. The facade, described as a "mural curtain," exemplifies a fusion of artistic design and functional performance, enhancing energy efficiency while creating a continually changing visual narrative.

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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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