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Pegboard Panels and Glulam Beams Create Flexible Living Along the River

Authors:
Deborah Urban, Nathan Roukous
Pegboard Panels and Glulam Beams Create Flexible Living Along the River

Project in-detail

The use of movable pegboard panels and glulam beams enables flexible adaptation for a modular living space along the banks of the Buffalo River, fostering creativity and engagement with the natural environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Flexible wall panels allow for customizable interior configurations.
02
Glulam beams provide structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.
03
Clerestory windows enhance natural light while maintaining privacy.
04
Pegboard walls support creative organization for various activities.
05
The modular design promotes adaptation to seasonal lifestyle changes.

The Buffalo River Residency is a modular living space located along the banks of the Buffalo River in New York. The design focuses on blending with nature while providing a functional home. It uses a combination of prefabricated components and distinct paneling to create an environment that supports creativity and flexibility in daily living.

Design Concept

The main idea behind the Buffalo River Residency is to create a flexible home that can grow with its occupants. The interior features pegboard wall panels that residents can customize. This choice allows for personal expression and adapts to various activities, making the space more engaging and suitable for different needs.

Transformable Spaces

The design incorporates wall partitions that can move along a track system, enabling changes in the layout of the interior. This aspect enhances the usability of the home by allowing quick reconfiguration of spaces. The ability to adapt rooms for different purposes means that the residence can support a range of lifestyles, both now and in the future.

Material Selection

Material choices play a crucial role in the overall design, contributing to both strength and appearance. The project includes 4x8 pegboard panels, stud wall assemblies with insulation, glulam beams, wooden flooring, wooden decking, foundation piles, and rockwool insulation. Each material is selected for its practical benefits and suitability to the environment, demonstrating an awareness of sustainability.

Natural Integration

Natural light enters the home through clerestory windows, creating a connection between indoors and the surrounding landscape. This thoughtful placement helps to brighten the interior while maintaining a sense of privacy. The design fosters a calm atmosphere, supporting creative activities and allowing residents to feel at one with nature. The residence illustrates a modern take on living that respects its location while prioritizing the needs of its users.

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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
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