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Reflective Micro Home With Photovoltaic Features by the Lake

Author:
Xiyu Chen
Reflective Micro Home With Photovoltaic Features by the Lake

Project in-detail

Clad in reflective glass, the micro home harnesses solar energy while seamlessly integrating into the landscape, providing a versatile living space designed for adaptability near Lake Braies.
5 key facts about this project
01
Clad entirely in mirrors, the micro home reflects its natural surroundings, enhancing the landscape experience.
02
The roof integrates photovoltaic glass, optimizing energy production while allowing light to enter.
03
Furniture designed for flexibility can retract into walls, maximizing usable living space.
04
A retractable balcony extends toward the lake, creating a usable outdoor area during favorable weather.
05
The structure employs a Spider Glass anchoring system, allowing for wider glass surfaces and improved durability.

"Mirror The World" is located at Lake Braies in South Tyrol, Italy. The design features a micro house fully covered in mirrors, allowing it to blend with its surroundings. The concept prioritizes ecological sustainability and adaptability, enabling the structure to change with the seasons and engage actively with the landscape.

Architectural Concept

The focus of the design is on adaptability within a limited space. The micro house includes various spaces that can serve different functions, making it easy for users to adjust the interior according to their needs. This creates a multifunctional living area that remains well-organized while maximizing usefulness.

Materiality and Sustainability

Sustainability is an important aspect of the design. The interior layout uses natural and recycled materials for a balance of comfort and modern appearance. The roof has mirror glass slabs that contain photovoltaic cells. These cells not only allow natural light into the home but also promote energy efficiency. The panels are treated with amorphous silicon gel, which helps turn them into semiconductors, optimizing energy production without losing brightness inside.

Structural Innovations

Spy Mirror Glass forms the shell of the MicroHome. This tempered material offers a combination of transparency and reflective qualities. It allows people to see outside while providing a mirrored effect from the other side, depending on the light. This feature ensures a sense of privacy while maintaining openness in the living space.

Interior Functionality

The design makes use of retractable furniture to improve space efficiency. Desks for work are cleverly hidden under the living room counters and can be pulled out when needed. Additionally, a retractable balcony extends out toward the lake on sunny days, providing an inviting spot for relaxation or work. The use of a Spider Glass anchoring system enhances stability by allowing for wider glass surfaces, ensuring durability against the elements.

The careful attention to detail in the design, from the adjustable furniture to the reflective outer layer, fosters a relationship between the building and its natural surroundings, showcasing the beauty of the landscape while offering a flexible living experience.

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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
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