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Natural Light Atrium Enhancing Community Living Through Thoughtful Spatial Design

Author:
艳 浦
Natural Light Atrium Enhancing Community Living Through Thoughtful Spatial Design

Project in-detail

An open atrium creates a central light-filled space that fosters community interaction while accommodating diverse living needs in a well-organized residential layout.
5 key facts about this project
01
Open atrium design enhances natural light and facilitates community interaction.
02
Layout accommodates varying needs of children, adults, and the elderly.
03
Natural forms serve as building boundaries, reducing environmental impact.
04
Sun orientation and building height optimize light capture throughout the day.
05
Thoughtfully organized spaces promote both privacy and social engagement.

The design explores the connection between natural light and residential spaces, emphasizing how this relationship can enhance everyday living. Set in a community-oriented environment, the design adopts the concept of "twelve hours" to align with the rhythms of daily life. The layout is organized to maximize natural illumination, taking into account the needs of various occupants.

Conceptual Framework

A key aspect of the design is the use of natural light as the primary source of illumination. This decision informs the overall layout and creates distinct atmospheres in different areas of the home. As sunlight moves through the space, it produces changing patterns of light and shadow, enriching the daily experiences of those living there. This approach establishes a strong bond between indoor spaces and the natural surroundings.

Spatial Organization

Central to the layout is an open atrium. This area acts as a hub that connects different functional spaces, including the open kitchen, living room, round garden, outdoor bar, shower room, master bedroom, and reading leisure area. This thoughtful arrangement encourages social interactions among occupants while also allowing for individual privacy. The atrium enhances daylighting and creates a feeling of openness throughout the home.

Sustainable Considerations

Materials are not specifically mentioned; however, the design indicates a commitment to sustainability through the use of natural forms as boundaries. This approach minimizes disruption to the environment and suggests a focus on eco-friendly practices. The consideration of building height and sun positioning also plays a role in ensuring effective light capture, which contributes to energy efficiency in the home.

Architectural Detail

The enclosed atrium design reflects a careful balance between privacy and openness, considering the cultural context of the community. It fosters a comfortable living environment while allowing for meaningful interactions among residents. By centering the design around natural light, a sense of harmony is created throughout the home. The way light filters into connected spaces provides a warm and inviting atmosphere that encourages exploration and engagement.

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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

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