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Movable Cabinet Structure Featuring Recycled Polycarbonate and Sustainable Hardwood for Urban Wellness

Author:
Weng i Kok
Movable Cabinet Structure Featuring Recycled Polycarbonate and Sustainable Hardwood for Urban Wellness

Project in-detail

A 360-degree movable cabinet constructed from recycled materials enhances spatial flexibility, creating a compact urban home gym that emphasizes wellness and multifunctionality.
5 key facts about this project
01
A 360-degree movable cabinet allows flexible use of space for various activities.
02
The design is inspired by the breathing movement of the lungs, representing health and wellness.
03
Recycled polycarbonate façade blocks up to 70% of solar radiation for energy efficiency.
04
Sustainable hardwood is used for floors and trims, enhancing environmental responsibility.
05
Distinct areas are designated for dining, working, and exercising within a compact footprint.

The Mobile Home Gym project addresses the growing need for personal fitness spaces in urban environments. Situated in a busy metropolitan area, this design changes how fitness is integrated into daily living. With an emphasis on versatility, it allows users to easily shift between activities such as dining, working, exercising, and practicing yoga, all within a compact space.

Design Concept

The core idea of this project is its flexibility and multifunctionality. The Mobile Home Gym is equipped with a unique feature: a 360-degree movable cabinet that rotates around a central point. This design enables users to rearrange the interior based on their current needs, optimizing the available space. Such adaptability is especially important for city dwellers who often deal with limited square footage.

Exterior Aesthetic

The exterior shape is inspired by the natural breathing movement of lungs, giving the structure a form that expands and contracts. This design symbolizes a connection to living rhythms and supports the emphasis on health and wellness. The flowing lines not only enhance the building's visual appeal, but they also promote a calming atmosphere in the midst of urban life.

Material Selection

Sustainability plays an important role in choosing materials for the Mobile Home Gym. The structure is built using recycled hardwood for the frame, floors, decks, and trims, providing durability while reducing environmental impact. Recycled plywood is utilized for the ceiling and walls, further enhancing energy efficiency. The façade is made from recycled polycarbonate, which effectively blocks up to 70% of solar radiation, allowing for comfortable interior temperatures while minimizing energy use.

Functional Layout

The design clearly defines different areas for various activities, including dining, sleeping, working, exercising, and yoga. This organized layout meets the diverse needs of daily life, enabling residents to participate in multiple functions without needing separate spaces. The approach reflects a modern lifestyle that values both convenience and well-being, making it easier for residents to stay active while managing their everyday responsibilities.

At the center of it all is the movable cabinet, a functional element that serves as a reminder of the commitment to adaptable living solutions. This detail enhances the overall experience, demonstrating how design can support daily wellness and functionality in an urban setting.

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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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