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Rammed Earth and Hemp Insulation in a Compact Community-Focused Dwelling

Author:
Rive Architectes
Rammed Earth and Hemp Insulation in a Compact Community-Focused Dwelling

Project in-detail

Utilizing rammed earth and hemp insulation, this community-focused micro dwelling seamlessly integrates sustainable materials into efficient living spaces designed for modern resilience and social connectivity.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth walls provide superior thermal mass and sustainability.
02
Hemp insulation enhances energy efficiency while being eco-friendly.
03
The modular layout allows for flexible use of space and functions.
04
Rainwater harvesting systems support self-sufficiency in resource management.
05
Community pathways encourage social interaction among residents.

## Project Overview
The Pi(x)² micro house is a 25m² dwelling designed to address modern housing challenges through sustainable principles and efficient spatial organization. It emphasizes ecological responsibility while fostering community interaction. The design aims to create a functional and livable space with a minimal environmental impact, reflecting a commitment to both sustainability and collaborative living.

## Spatial Strategy
The layout of the micro house is segmented into distinct functional zones, facilitating various activities such as eating, working, and exercising. This modular configuration maximizes utility in a compact footprint and promotes a sense of spaciousness through an open design. The arrangement encourages fluidity between spaces, fostering both privacy and communal engagement.

### Sustainability and Material Selection
Sustainability is a cornerstone of the Pi(x)² micro house, characterized by the use of locally sourced and environmentally sensitive materials. Key features include:

- **Rammed Earth** for walls, providing thermal mass and acoustic benefits.
- **Stained Local Wood** for framing and cladding, connecting the structure to its surroundings while offering natural insulation.
- **Recycled Aluminum** for elements like roofing, promoting ventilation and natural light.
- Additional sustainability strategies such as rainwater harvesting, natural ventilation through a chimney effect, and the inclusion of an integrated vegetable garden support ecological resilience and encourage self-sufficiency among residents.

The design further integrates essential utilities within the architectural volumes, ensuring functional efficiency while maintaining aesthetic integrity.

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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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