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Rainwater-Collecting Home With Recycled Glass and Embedded Furniture

Author:
Sze chun Liu
Rainwater-Collecting Home With Recycled Glass and Embedded Furniture

Project in-detail

Incorporating a rainwater collection system, recycled glass windows, and adaptable embedded furniture, this compact home promotes sustainable living while effectively supporting a variety of daily activities.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates a greywater system for toilet flushing.
02
Features an aeroponics system for efficient food production.
03
Utilizes recycled materials, including glass for windows.
04
Designed to optimize airflow based on seasonal wind patterns.
05
Adapts living spaces with embedded furniture for flexibility.

SPACE+ is an architectural design located in urban regions, particularly relevant to areas in South Asia, including Hong Kong and Thailand, characterized by their tropical monsoon climates. The focus is on reshaping compact living by integrating flexibility and adaptability into the overall design. The main goal is to accommodate a variety of activities within a limited space, reflecting a modern understanding of residential life that promotes productivity and comfort.

Architectural Concept

The design places a strong emphasis on usability. It challenges the notion that smaller living spaces must compromise quality of life. By featuring multifunctional areas, residents can engage with their surroundings more dynamically. This approach encourages a lifestyle where work, leisure, and daily routine converge in a compact environment.

Sustainability

The project follows several strategies to reduce both embodied and operational carbon footprints. Recycled materials are a core element, including a roof made from corrugated metal and windows constructed from recycled glass. This choice reduces energy consumption associated with traditional building materials and contributes to a more sustainable approach throughout the building's lifecycle.

Water Management

An effective water management system is another important aspect. It incorporates a grey water plumbing system that recycles wastewater for toilet flushing and a rainwater collection system to provide potable water. These systems enhance resource efficiency and show a commitment to responsible water use in residential design.

Functional Layout

SPACE+ is organized in a way that maximizes usable space, allowing residents to adjust their living environment to suit personal needs. The inclusion of embedded furniture adds flexibility, creating open areas that can adapt for various purposes. This design detail illustrates how urban living can be both comfortable and efficient, making the best use of limited land.

The integration of these elements shows a clear intention to balance everyday living and environmental considerations. Features throughout SPACE+ offer functional clarity, while the overall design provides a modern solution to the challenges of urban life. The spaces flow naturally, giving residents a sense of comfort and ease in their daily activities.

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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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