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Low-E Glass and Rain Gardens in a Community-Centric Museum Space

Authors:
Linfeng Shi, Wenxue Xing
Low-E Glass and Rain Gardens in a Community-Centric Museum Space

Project in-detail

Incorporating Low-E Glass and rain gardens, a revitalized historical school now serves as a community hub, blending leisure, art, and horse culture within its multifunctional spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates an underground display area for enhanced functionality.
02
Features rain gardens for natural stormwater management.
03
Utilizes Low-E Glass to improve energy efficiency.
04
Preserves the historical character of a 1930s school building.
05
Offers diverse communal spaces for arts and leisure activities.

The Omuli Green Future Plan is situated in the historic former Omuli Elementary School. This building now houses the Omuli Museum of the Horse. The project aims to address the limitations of the existing structure while meeting modern community needs. The focus is on enhancing the interior layout and introducing new functional spaces to create an engaging environment for cultural and leisure activities.

Design Concept

The design is centered around maximizing the internal areas, transforming cramped spaces into a more open and adaptable environment. A significant feature is the addition of an underground display area, which increases the museum's functionality and allows for new leisure and horse breeding facilities. This integration of diverse spaces encourages visitor engagement and interaction.

Functional Layout

The first floor includes a range of essential functions. It features Couple's Housing, a Public Living Room, a Communal Kitchen, the Omuli Museum, an Artist Studio, and a Ground Exhibition Hall. The mixed-use layout supports interaction among residents and visitors, fostering a sense of community. The second floor complements this with more accommodation options and communal spaces, enriching the overall residential experience.

Sustainability Features

The project incorporates sustainable technologies to support environmental responsibility. Low-E Glass is utilized to improve heat insulation and light transmission, making the building more energy-efficient. Rain gardens are also included in the design, serving as a natural way to manage stormwater and assist in groundwater purification.

Historical Context

The site's history is significant, with the building originally constructed between 1934 and 1936. It served educational purposes until its closure in 1975. Since then, the building has undergone various changes in ownership and function. The current initiative, led by owner Eva Silderman, aims to restore and adapt the structure for modern use while honoring its past and strengthening community ties to horse culture and the arts.

The design underscores a balance between preserving the historical character of the building and accommodating contemporary needs. In doing so, it creates an enriching experience that connects cultural, educational, and recreational elements in a cohesive manner.

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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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