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Recycled Timber Turning Bookcase With Flexible Community Seating

Author:
Laura Raggini
Recycled Timber Turning Bookcase With Flexible Community Seating

Project in-detail

A turning bookcase constructed from recycled timber and equipped with flexible seating creates a mobile community space for engaging with literature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Turning bookcase facilitates interaction and encourages collaborative reading.
02
Constructed from recycled timber, promoting sustainability in design.
03
Integrated window seats allow users to store books during travel.
04
Timber battens provide structural stability while maintaining warmth.
05
Humidity-resistant membrane protects interior content from moisture.

Il GiraLibro is an architectural endeavor that focuses on mobility and storytelling, designed to interact with its environment. It serves as a mobile bookcase that moves through different settings, bringing literature to various communities. This structure does not just hold books; it creates a space for people to gather, engage, and connect with the narratives contained within.

Concept and Functionality

The design emphasizes the idea of movement paired with communal interaction. Users can explore literature together, but they can also find quiet moments for personal reflection. The arrangement of the space supports both activities, with distinct areas for reading and socializing. This approach invites different experiences and fosters a sense of connection among users.

Material Selection

Timber serves as the main framework of the structure, providing both strength and warmth. Inside, timber battens measuring 75x35mm add stability. A protective membrane against humidity is integrated into the design to keep the interior dry, ensuring that the books remain safe from moisture. Thermal insulation is also included to maintain a comfortable environment, no matter the outside temperature.

Sustainability and Design Features

Sustainability is a key aspect of the project, highlighted by the use of recycled wooden planks for finishing the turning bookcase. This choice reflects a commitment to environmental responsibility. The structure also features OSB panels of 8mm thickness, which offer both aesthetic appeal and structural support. Window seats are designed for easy book storage while on the move, blending practicality with an open and welcoming atmosphere.

The result of these features is a thoughtful structure where literature, community, and mobility meet. Each detail contributes to the overall experience, enhancing the journey of storytelling while engaging with the surrounding environment.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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