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Rammed Earth Walls and Shipping Containers Creating Sustainable Community Living

Authors:
Lowell Lo, Lowell Lo, Shanna-Kay Smith, Domitillah Antoinee
Rammed Earth Walls and Shipping Containers Creating Sustainable Community Living

Project in-detail

Rammed earth walls and shipping containers combine to create adaptable living spaces that foster community engagement and sustainable practices in urban housing.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth walls provide significant thermal mass for climate control.
02
The use of shipping containers allows for quick assembly and adaptability.
03
Upper-level bedrooms feature direct access to outdoor terraces.
04
Community gardens within the greenhouse encourage local food production.
05
The design incorporates outboard insulation to enhance energy efficiency.

The project focuses on using shipping containers to create affordable housing solutions. It takes place in an urban environment where the demand for efficient living spaces is high. This initiative explores three distinct concepts that prioritize sustainability and adaptability, aiming to meet contemporary housing needs. The designs incorporate a practical structure that balances functionality with communal living aspects.

Concept One: The 3 Containers Laneway House

The first concept presents a configuration of three shipping containers. Two containers are arranged at ground level, while one is stacked above them. This setup results in a compact 1-bedroom dwelling. One container serves as the utility space, containing a washroom, kitchen, and stair access. The adjacent container acts as the main living area. The upper container functions as a master bedroom and includes a terrace for outdoor access. Outboard insulation is used to improve temperature control in colder climates, and openings are limited to maintain the containers' structural integrity.

Concept Two: The 4 Containers Greenhouse Courtyard Rural House

For the second concept, four shipping containers form a residential layout, which includes two bedrooms and a glass greenhouse. Rammed earth walls create a protective U-shaped structure around the greenhouse. These walls provide thermal mass, helping to regulate indoor temperatures, particularly during colder nights and winter months. A stair enclosure features operable windows connected to the greenhouse, allowing warm air to escape in the summer. This design promotes natural ventilation and creates a pleasant interior climate throughout the year.

Concept Three: The Colony of Containers with Greenhouses as 'Earthenhip' Community

The third concept envisions a colony of containers arranged side by side to foster a community-centered living experience. Similar to the second design, rammed earth walls are used to enhance the thermal mass, creating comfortable gathering spaces during winter. The layout encourages the cultivation of organic food within the greenhouse areas, promoting self-sufficiency among residents. This design emphasizes shared resources and addresses the needs for affordable housing while supporting sustainable living through communal areas.

The use of shipping containers and rammed earth walls highlights a commitment to innovative housing solutions. These materials allow for comfortable living arrangements that complement the environment. Unique access to outdoor terraces from the upper-level bedroom creates spaces for relaxation and provides views of the surrounding area.

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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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