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Natural Stone and Green Facades in a Terraced Community Care Facility

Authors:
Naomi Filipowicz, Zuzanna Dąbkowska, Jowita Grabowska
Natural Stone and Green Facades in a Terraced Community Care Facility
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Incorporating terraced green facades and local stone, the design emphasizes accessibility and community interaction, serving as a dedicated nursing home for elderly residents in a mountainous environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Terraced design maximizes views and accessibility across multiple levels.
02
Green facades integrate native vegetation to enhance biodiversity.
03
Local stone finishes create a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.
04
Ample natural light is achieved through strategically placed large windows.
05
Community spaces encourage social interaction among elderly residents.

### Overview
The FÓRUM SÉNIOR Nursing Home is strategically located in a sloping plot within Portugal's mountainous region, designed to provide a supportive environment for elderly residents. The architectural intent emphasizes comfort and high-quality care while adapting to the natural contours of the site. This design approach turns terrain challenges into opportunities, enhancing the overall experience for its users.

### Spatial Organization and Community Engagement
The layout features a multi-level arrangement that balances communal areas with private spaces. Essential amenities, including a restaurant, chapel, and activity rooms, are integrated throughout to promote accessibility and social interaction among residents. An open-plan design in communal areas facilitates movement and encourages connection, fostering a sense of community within the facility.

### Materiality and Sustainability
A careful selection of materials reflects a commitment to sustainability and visual harmony with the surrounding landscape. Concrete provides structural durability, while wood creates warmth in interior features. Expansive glass windows enhance natural light and connect residents to the outdoors, complemented by green facades that integrate vegetation and improve thermal comfort. Natural stone is employed in flooring to enhance sensory appeal and unify with the site’s aesthetic.

### Interior and Exterior Integration
Interiors are designed with spaciousness and light, featuring large windows that bring in natural illumination. The decor incorporates local textures and patterns, enriching the cultural connection for residents. The external landscape includes gardens and terraces, encouraging interaction while providing therapeutic environments conducive to gardening and social activities. The emphasis on views and natural lighting not only facilitates well-being but also aligns with the building’s integration into its mountainous surroundings.

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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.

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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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