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Personal Sanctuaries within Eco-Friendly Shared Spaces

Authors:
Ivan Yankovoy, Juliya Goloborodko
Personal Sanctuaries within Eco-Friendly Shared Spaces

Project in-detail

With eco-friendly shared spaces that prioritize personal sanctuaries, the design reinterprets childhood concepts of refuge through smart technology and sustainable practices, creating a modern living environment for urban residents.
5 key facts about this project
01
Personal sanctuaries are integrated within shared communal spaces to enhance social interaction.
02
The design utilizes cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and sustainability.
03
Charred wooden shingles provide a distinctive aesthetic while enhancing durability.
04
A bent A-frame structure maximizes interior volume while maintaining a compact footprint.
05
Smart technology features are embedded to improve daily living experiences without disrupting the design.

The design explores the idea of personal space and how it changes throughout life. It takes inspiration from childhood environments—like small shacks or makeshift tents—and adapts these concepts into modern living situations. The goal is to create spaces that allow for individual comfort while promoting interaction among residents. This balance is especially relevant in urban settings, where the need for private areas and community engagement is greater than ever.

Conceptual Framework

The layout emphasizes a thoughtful blend of private and communal spaces. It recognizes that while people need solitude, they also benefit from social connections. By providing clear transitions between these areas, the design meets the need for various living experiences. This flexibility is crucial in encouraging interaction among people while still offering them places to retreat.

Sustainability Considerations

Environmental responsibility is a key aspect of the design. The integration of concepts like “Solar,” “Recycle,” “Ecology,” “Safe,” and “All Sharing” highlights a dedication to sustainable living. The focus is on resource-sharing among residents, enhancing community ties while considering the ecological impact. This approach aims to create homes that are both practical and mindful of the environment.

Technology Integration

Modern technology plays an important role in the design. Smart home features are included to improve daily living, making life easier for residents. These technologies provide comfort and convenience, reflecting current lifestyle demands without interfering with the design's overall vision. The result is a living environment that adapts to the needs of both individuals and the community.

The final design achieves a thoughtful balance between interaction and individual spaces, allowing for moments of privacy amid a lively community. This reflects both a fondness for the past and a view toward future living arrangements.

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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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