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Perforated Brick Walls Enhance Airflow and Light in Sustainable Community Living

Authors:
Valentina Fesenko, Anna Nakhshkaryan, Marina Politova
Perforated Brick Walls Enhance Airflow and Light in Sustainable Community Living

Project in-detail

Utilizing perforated brick walls that promote natural ventilation and light, this sustainable living space integrates communal and private areas within a central courtyard, fostering a strong connection to nature and community interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Perforated brick walls create natural airflow and dynamic light patterns throughout the interior spaces.
02
An integrated olive garden serves as a communal gathering point, promoting social interaction among residents.
03
The design strategically incorporates terraces, expanding usable outdoor areas for relaxation and recreation.
04
Local materials, including ceramic bricks and lime mortar, enhance sustainability and regional connection.
05
Meditation spaces are seamlessly embedded within the layout, offering quiet retreat options amidst communal areas.

### Overview

Located in a serene natural setting, the "Olive Garden" project aims to integrate modern living with the surrounding environment, fostering community interaction and individual tranquility. The design reflects a commitment to creating spaces that not only serve functional needs but also enhance the quality of life for residents through thoughtful spatial organization and material use.

### Spatial Strategy

The spatial layout emphasizes fluid transitions between indoor and outdoor environments, promoting natural circulation throughout the site. A central courtyard serves as a focal point, intended as a communal hub that symbolizes connection among residents. The layout is divided into functional zones, including private living quarters, communal dining areas, and dedicated spaces for meditation and reflection. Each zone is strategically placed to optimize views and maintain privacy while encouraging social engagement.

### Material Selection and Sustainability

The choice of materials plays a significant role in the project’s ethos, highlighting durability, local craftsmanship, and sustainability. Local ceramic bricks form the primary structural element, offering thermal efficiency and aesthetic appeal. Lime mortar and clay plaster are utilized to enhance the building's weather resistance and create a warm ambiance. Natural elements like oak wood for doors and windows, along with cork flooring, contribute to comfort while maintaining an eco-friendly approach. Additionally, the incorporation of glass blocks enriches living spaces with natural light while ensuring privacy, further emphasizing the project's commitment to sustainability and the use of local resources.

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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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