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Loft Expansion With Plywood and Outdoor Decking for Compact Living

Author:
Donald Macdonlad
Loft Expansion With Plywood and Outdoor Decking for Compact Living

Project in-detail

A loft expansion above a compact layout, enhanced by plywood materials and an outdoor deck, provides a flexible living solution that adapts to diverse family needs.
5 key facts about this project
01
Loft expansion increases functional living space without adding footprint.
02
Outdoor deck seamlessly connects interior living areas with nature.
03
Plywood construction enhances sustainability while providing warmth.
04
Compact kitchen layout designed for efficiency with essential appliances.
05
Mirrored sliding doors optimize space while enhancing accessibility.

The Vertical Expanded Starter House is designed to address modern housing needs in both suburban and urban settings. It emphasizes flexibility and efficiency as key features, allowing residents to adapt the space as their lifestyles change. The design concept focuses on maximizing usable area while ensuring comfort and ease of use for families.

Layout and Functionality

The layout of the Vertical Expanded Starter House includes specific zones that cater to both privacy and socializing. It boasts expanded bedrooms and a spacious living room that encourages family interaction. The outdoor deck extends from one of the bedrooms, providing a seamless transition to the outside. This feature allows inhabitants to enjoy fresh air and sunlight without having to leave the comfort of their home.

Structural Design

Schematic Section A depicts the innovative use of space in the design. The loft area expands into a full upper floor, increasing the usable square footage. This vertical expansion provides ample room while enhancing natural light throughout the home. An open layout creates a sense of spaciousness, which is essential for a comfortable living environment.

Material Considerations

Material choices are crucial to the project's functionality and efficiency. The walls consist of 2 x 4 wood studs covered with plywood, offering strength and insulation. The roofing uses 2 x 10 joists with R-30 batt insulation, which help maintain a stable indoor climate. Interior walls are made of sheetrock, chosen for its durability, and the flooring features sheet vinyl with sponge backing for sound insulation.

Exterior Elements

The exterior design of the Vertical Expanded Starter House includes plywood siding that is finished with paint for both protection and visual appeal. A trellis above the main entrance adds a practical touch, allowing light to brighten the foyer while enhancing the overall look of the house. Such details create a clear identity for the home while meeting the residents' everyday needs.

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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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