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Rammed Earth and Green Concrete Create Sustainable Community Living Solutions

Rammed Earth and Green Concrete Create Sustainable Community Living Solutions
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Employing rammed earth and green concrete, this design integrates flexible living units within a communal framework, facilitating sustainable residential living in an urban context.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth walls provide superior thermal mass, enhancing energy efficiency.
02
Modular design allows for adaptable living spaces tailored to resident needs.
03
A community garden integrates biodiversity into the urban setting.
04
Natural stone elements enhance durability and reduce maintenance requirements.
05
Solar chimneys facilitate passive ventilation, improving indoor air quality.

### Overview

The Future Earth House is located in an urban setting, designed with a focus on sustainability and efficient use of space. It aims to address environmental challenges by minimizing the use of non-sustainable materials while providing a flexible living environment for future residents. The project emphasizes self-organization and simplicity, moving away from ornate decorative elements to create a space that harmonizes with its surroundings.

### Spatial Strategy and Community Integration

The design features an open-plan layout that promotes connectivity and facilitates natural airflow and light. The ground floor includes shared communal areas such as gardens and pools, enhancing social interaction among residents. Modular configurations allow for adaptability, catering to individual preferences while maintaining a sense of community. The arrangement of units not only ensures privacy but also encourages accessibility to communal amenities, balancing personal space with shared experiences.

### Materiality and Construction Techniques

A careful selection of materials underpins the design's commitment to sustainability. Rammed earth serves as the primary building material, leveraging its thermal mass to regulate indoor temperatures. Porous green concrete enhances drainage and reduces environmental impact, while local natural stone adds durability and aesthetic value. Glass is strategically incorporated for natural lighting and passive solar heating, while sustainably sourced wood contributes warmth and texture to the interiors. These material choices reflect a broader intention to minimize ecological footprints, aligning with the project's ecological goals.

### Passive Design Strategies

In response to the subtropical climate, the Future Earth House employs passive design strategies to optimize energy efficiency. Strategic orientation and shading devices mitigate direct sunlight exposure, thereby reducing cooling needs. High ceilings and operable windows facilitate natural ventilation, promoting thermal comfort. Innovations such as solar chimneys enhance air exchange, contributing to overall climate control within the structure. The integration of these elements illustrates a comprehensive approach to environmental responsibility in urban housing design.

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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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Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

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Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025
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