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Portable Micro Home With Bamboo Structure and Abaca Mesh for Urban Living

Authors:
Jenica grace Malana, Trisha anne Oliveros, Christian Del rosario
Portable Micro Home With Bamboo Structure and Abaca Mesh for Urban Living

Project in-detail

Constructed with foldable panels and an elevated bamboo structure, this micro home in Metro Manila incorporates abaca mesh for ventilation while offering a flexible living space tailored for urban residents.
5 key facts about this project
01
Foldable panels allow for efficient space management and easy transport.
02
Elevated on stilts to protect against urban flooding.
03
Abaca mesh provides natural ventilation while keeping insects out.
04
Designed specifically for fast-moving young professional couples.
05
Incorporates off-the-grid solar energy for sustainable living.

Project Tiklop is a micro home located in Metro Manila, Philippines. It addresses the challenges of urban living by offering a compact and adaptable space designed for young professional couples. With its modest size of 12 square meters, the design encourages a minimalist lifestyle while ensuring functionality and ease of use.

Modularity and Flexibility
The design revolves around the concept of modularity, showcasing a series of foldable panels that maximize space efficiency. The first panel includes the main living area as well as a kitchen and convertible sleeping space. This layout allows residents to reconfigure the home easily, meeting their changing needs and making it suitable for life in a busy city.

Functional Zoning
The second foldable panel functions as a compressed unit, containing walls, floors, and balcony extensions to enhance the overall compactness of the home. The third panel encompasses essential facilities such as a toilet and bath, along with storage areas. This zoning approach helps create a practical living environment where all necessary functions are thoughtfully organized within a limited footprint.

Sustainable Features
Commitment to sustainability runs through Project Tiklop. The design incorporates thin-film solar cells in the roofing system, providing energy for the home while allowing it to operate independently from conventional utilities. Windows are designed to open, promoting natural ventilation and welcoming daylight, which reduces the need for artificial lighting and climate control.

Material Selection
The choice of materials is another important aspect of the design. Bamboo and oakwood are used for their strength and availability in the local area. Additionally, the project features protective window mesh made from abaca fiber. This balances airflow while keeping insects outside, supporting both comfort and ecological considerations.

Elevated on stilts, the structure responds to potential flooding commonly seen in urban settings. The design includes a rainwater harvesting system, underscoring a practical approach to water management. This further enhances the function of the home, providing residents with essential resources while addressing urban challenges. The various features and thoughtful layout work together to create a unique living solution for the fast-paced city environment.

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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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