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Recycling Fibers Into Sustainable Living Spaces With Integrated Water Solutions

Authors:
Min Kyoung woo, Lee Min hye, Kim Dong su, Lee Gyu min
Recycling Fibers Into Sustainable Living Spaces With Integrated Water Solutions

Project in-detail

Utilizing recycled fibers and advanced water purification systems, the design creates sustainable living spaces that reflect the communal lifestyle of Old Padama Accra.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes waste textile fibers for structural walls.
02
Incorporates an energy-efficient wind generator for power.
03
Features built-in furniture to maximize space utility.
04
Design mimics traditional communal living spaces.
05
Includes advanced water purification systems for sustainability.

The design focuses on addressing textile waste management in Old Padama Accra, Ghana, while reflecting the region's cultural context and communal living patterns. The project leverages innovative recycling strategies, aiming to repurpose discarded clothing into useful materials. By combining technology with traditional practices, it proposes a sustainable way to enhance urban living conditions without severing ties to local heritage.

Sustainable Textile Recycling

The project tackles the misconception that donated clothing is mainly used for charitable purposes. Instead, a significant portion of used clothes ends up in Old Padama, contributing to environmental and health issues in the community. To address these challenges, the design proposes using recycling techniques, specifically 3D printing and thermal compression, to transform waste fibers into new materials. This approach allows for capturing value from what is typically discarded, turning waste into resource.

Community-Centric Design

Understanding the traditional lifestyle in Ghana is central to the project. Local customs often blend various domestic activities within shared spaces. The design incorporates a multi-purpose central area resembling a tent, which serves several functions such as cooking and socializing. This arrangement enhances community connections and reflects the way local residents have historically interacted. Additionally, built-in furniture maximizes space efficiency and adaptability, responding to the daily needs of families.

Innovative Infrastructure

In addressing broader community needs, the design includes vital infrastructure like water storage and purification systems. These elements are essential for improving living conditions, especially in areas where access to clean water is limited. The introduction of a wind generator reinforces a commitment to sustainability and aims to provide an energy-efficient solution. This integration of practical infrastructure within the residential design promotes a holistic approach to urban living.

Textural Experiments

The design emphasizes the use of recycled materials, particularly in creating structural elements like fiber walls. Using waste fibers not only supports the recycling initiative but also offers a distinctive aesthetic to the buildings, allowing them to blend with the local environment. This resource-focused approach encourages innovative construction methods, reducing dependency on conventional materials and promoting a forward-thinking model for sustainable development.

The roof panels cleverly designed for water collection highlights the project's practical impact on local resources. This feature not only contributes to water management efforts but also supports the overall goal of enhancing community resilience through thoughtful 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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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