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Rammed Clay and Local Wood Unite in a Multifunctional Community Hub

Authors:
Merlin Augele, Valerian Althammer, Tim Cox
Rammed Clay and Local Wood Unite in a Multifunctional Community Hub

Project in-detail

Constructed from locally sourced rammed clay and wood, the community hub integrates multifunctional spaces that promote social interaction while maintaining a low environmental impact.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed primarily from locally sourced rammed clay to minimize environmental impact.
02
Features radially oriented glass facades that enhance natural light throughout the interior.
03
Includes versatile interspaces that accommodate a range of activities during warmer months.
04
Strategically located at the village center to promote community engagement and accessibility.
05
Designed with separate multifunctional areas to support diverse gatherings and events.

The Clay House is located in a village and serves as a community home, providing spaces for residents and visitors to gather and interact. The design focuses on creating a welcoming environment that encourages connection. With a central gathering area at its heart, the building includes additional rooms such as meeting spaces, a kitchen, a lavatory, and storage facilities. This thoughtful layout promotes a sense of togetherness while prioritizing practical use.

Spatial Organization
The layout of the building emphasizes usability and community engagement. The central room acts as the main meeting point, while separate areas offer flexibility for various activities. Natural light plays a key role in the design. Radial glass facades and skylights fill the interior spaces with warm daylight, enhancing the atmosphere and keeping the connection to the outside world strong.

Sustainable Design
Sustainability is a cornerstone of the Clay House. The focus is on reducing the environmental impact through careful choices in materials and construction methods. The building’s walls, floors, and shingles are made from clay sourced locally. This approach not only lowers transportation emissions but also blends the structure with its natural setting, creating a harmonious relationship with the landscape.

Material Integration
The roof and facade utilize wood gathered from nearby areas, aligning with the goal of using local resources. This choice supports the building's durability and strengthens its bond with the region. Strip foundations made from clay bricks provide a stable base, further emphasizing the commitment to sustainability and local materials in the design.

Community Functionality
The Clay House is designed to function as a versatile space for various community activities. It can host social events, theater performances, and communal meals. Interspaces offer opportunities for more activities, especially during warmer months, making the facility adaptable to the needs of its users. Positioned centrally within the village, it enhances accessibility and promotes connections among different parts of the community.

The design of the Clay House highlights the significance of community interaction and environmental responsibility at every level. The spaces invite people in, encouraging them to share experiences and strengthen bonds within the village.

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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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