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Operable Roofs and Cozy Fires in Intimate Shelters

Authors:
David Scurry, Nicholas Coates
Operable Roofs and Cozy Fires in Intimate Shelters

Project in-detail

Operable roofs and a communal fireplace define the intimate shelters that provide unique spaces for relaxation and social interaction amidst a serene landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Operable roofs allow for direct stargazing from the elevated room.
02
The design features a communal fireplace that encourages social gatherings.
03
Narrow windows frame specific views, guiding occupants’ focus on the landscape.
04
A hot tub is integrated into the upward section, enhancing relaxation.
05
Spatial transitions create a narrative journey through the different shelters.

The project "In, Out, Up" is situated in a simple landscape that emphasizes the connection between nature and human experience. It consists of a series of distinct shelters, each offering a different way for occupants to interact with their surroundings. The design revolves around the themes of "In," "Out," and "Up," creating spaces that cater to varying needs for social connection, relaxation, and contemplation.

A Room for Fire and Water

This design incorporates two contrasting elements within one shelter. One side of the room focuses on the warmth and social aspect of a burning fire, providing a cozy atmosphere for gathering. The other side features a hot tub, creating a space for relaxation away from the world. By placing fire and water in proximity, the design allows occupants to experience different senses of shelter and engagement, highlighting the balance between these opposing forces.

A Room for Endless Views

Built on an incline, the next shelter leads occupants downward through a pathway into a more intimate space. The journey begins with a narrow window that offers a glimpse of the outside view. As one moves through the hallway, they arrive at a larger room that boasts full-length windows and a bench, framing the view of the valley. This thoughtful layout encourages movement through constricted spaces into wider ones, deepening the connection to the surrounding landscape.

A Room for Stargazing

The final structure invites occupants to ascend to an elevated room through a ladder leading upward. A key feature is the operable roof, which operates with a pulley system to open up to the sky above. This allows occupants to transition from an enclosed space to an open one, connecting them with the stars and night sky. The act of stargazing becomes a central experience, reinforcing the relationship between the people inside and the universe outside.

Overall, the arrangement of each shelter fosters a strong connection between design and setting. Features like expansive windows and operable roofs allow for direct interactions with the environment. Each design offers a unique experience shaped by the principles of space and functionality, helping occupants engage meaningfully with their 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.

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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