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Pitched Roof Structure Crafted with Ductal UHPC for Mobile Coffee Service

Authors:
Chenglin Zhu, Adaeze Chukwuma
Pitched Roof Structure Crafted with Ductal UHPC for Mobile Coffee Service

Project in-detail

Crafted with Ductal UHPC, the Coffee-Hut features a pitched roof design that enhances solar gain, offering a functional and adaptable space for mobile coffee service in urban environments.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted with Ductal UHPC for improved durability and low maintenance.
02
Features a pitched roof for enhanced sunlight absorption and energy efficiency.
03
Includes a foldable bed for staff comfort during breaks.
04
Designed to be easily transportable across urban environments.
05
Maximizes interior space for equipment and social interaction.

The Coffee-Hut presents a unique blend of a coffee shop and modern living, designed specifically for mobility within urban areas of Northern Europe. This compact structure combines practical use with visual appeal, allowing it to fit well in various public settings. The design emphasizes adaptability, enabling it to serve both as a local café and a gathering space.

Design Concept

The Coffee-Hut focuses on adaptability and social interaction. It draws inspiration from Modern European design, making it suitable for different urban environments. This adaptation allows the Coffee-Hut to function effectively in various contexts, such as outdoor events and busy plazas, enhancing the community experience surrounding coffee culture.

Structural Elements

The layout of the Coffee-Hut features an efficient organization with a distinctive box shape. This design maximizes usable interior space while ensuring ease of access for staff and customers. The pitched roof serves a dual purpose: it captures more sunlight and creates a visually appealing profile. This careful balance of structure and aesthetic invites passerby engagement and highlights the charm of the coffee service.

Materials and Durability

Material choice plays an essential role in the Coffee-Hut. The exterior is clad in Ductal UHPC (Ultra-High Performance Concrete), which provides both strength and durability. This material is carefully selected for its sustainable properties and resistance to varying weather conditions. It has low porosity and good fire resistance, ensuring the Coffee-Hut remains functional over time. The cladding not only supports energy efficiency but also contributes to a contemporary look.

User-Centric Features

Attention to the staff's comfort is an important aspect of the Coffee-Hut's design. A foldable bed accommodates employees, allowing them a place to rest during breaks. This thoughtful addition reflects a growing awareness of worker well-being in mobile environments. By incorporating functional spaces for employees, the Coffee-Hut enhances the overall experience for both staff and customers.

The carefully designed shape of the Coffee-Hut, along with its functional features and modern appearance, offers an inviting presence that encourages community interaction around coffee.

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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

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