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Manipulating Light Through Expansive Glass Facades and Durable Reinforced Concrete

Author:
Kristína Veselá
Manipulating Light Through Expansive Glass Facades and Durable Reinforced Concrete

Project in-detail

Expansive glass façades and reinforced concrete create a built environment that masterfully transforms natural light into living space, resulting in a residence that harmonizes with its landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Expansive glass façades create seamless connections between indoor and outdoor spaces.
02
Reinforced concrete provides structural stability while allowing for clean lines in design.
03
Cross-laminated timber panels enhance insulation and contribute to sustainable building practices.
04
A bent A-frame design optimizes natural light penetration throughout the living areas.
05
Strategic overhangs control sunlight and mitigate heat gain, improving energy efficiency.

**Project Overview**
The Varia House is located on a sloping site, designed to accommodate the needs of a young couple while prioritizing the optimization of natural light. The architectural intent centers on creating a living environment that enhances daily experiences through careful spatial organization and light integration. The geometric simplicity of rectangular forms serves as the foundation for the arrangement of interconnected spaces, fostering an introspective relationship with both light and shadows on the site.

**Spatial Organization and Layout**
The Varia House features a central hub that connects large open areas, including the main living spaces such as the kitchen and dining room, maximizing daylight exposure through strategic skylights and expansive windows. Adjacent to this central area, more private zones like bedrooms and a study offer flexible layouts, allowing for both openness and privacy as needed. The design incorporates large sliding doors to integrate outdoor spaces seamlessly, enhancing the flow between indoor and outdoor living.

**Material Selection and Light Management**
A minimalist approach characterizes the material choices in Varia House, emphasizing a connection to natural light. Reinforced concrete forms the structural basis, complemented by extensive use of glass for transparency and openness. Wood elements provide warmth, while aluminum frames contribute to a lightweight aesthetic. The careful placement of windows and skylights not only maximizes daylight but also offers prioritized views that align with the sun's orientation. Architectural elements designed to manage shadow enhance the living spaces' atmosphere, creating a dynamic interplay between light and shadow throughout the interior.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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