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Repurposed Brick and Natural Brown Wood Create a Memory-Focused Home Design

Author:
Emil Konurbaev
Repurposed Brick and Natural Brown Wood Create a Memory-Focused Home Design

Project in-detail

Utilizing reclaimed brick and warm natural wood, the design emphasizes memory collection through adaptable spaces, creating a sustainable and functional home.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes reclaimed brick for thermal mass, enhancing energy efficiency.
02
Features a bent A-frame design that maximizes interior volume while minimizing material use.
03
Incorporates adaptive spaces with convertible furniture for multifunctionality.
04
Includes a water collection system integrated into the landscape design.
05
Enhances connectivity to nature through extensive glass elements for natural light.

### Project Overview
The design is situated in a suburban context and aims to create a sustainable living environment through innovative architecture that integrates waste management principles. The project focuses on utilizing recycled materials to address environmental waste while establishing a functional and inviting home. It emphasizes the transformation of personal memories associated with discarded items into meaningful living spaces.

### Conceptual Foundation
The project reinterprets waste by converting discarded materials into livable spaces, serving as a critique of consumer culture and highlighting the potential for waste reclamation. This approach fosters emotional connections to personal belongings, promoting a deeper appreciation of memory and place. The design encourages individuals to engage with the histories of their possessions, merging sustainability with personal narrative.

### Design and Material Strategies
1. **Spatial Configuration**: The architectural form incorporates asymmetric shapes that facilitate a fluid interaction between residents and the surrounding environment. The floor plan features circular and polygonal layouts, ensuring a mix of private and communal areas. Integrating collection points for items designated for disposal promotes participatory waste management.

2. **Material Selection**:
- **Reclaimed Brick**: Used in exterior walls for aesthetic enhancement and thermal mass, contributing to energy efficiency.
- **Wood**: Employed for roofing and interior finishes to create a warm atmosphere.
- **Glass**: Incorporated to maximize natural light and strengthen the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
- **Steel**: Utilized in structural elements for durability and resilience against environmental factors.

3. **Sustainable Features**:
- **Water Collection Systems**: Innovative rainwater harvesting techniques are embedded in the design to promote sustainable living.
- **Drainage Fountains**: These features serve both aesthetic and functional roles, facilitating effective water absorption and enriching the outdoor ambiance.

4. **Interior Functionality**:
- The layouts emphasize efficient space use while maintaining comfort, using convertible furniture to adapt areas for diverse functions such as workspaces or relaxation zones.
- Integrated storage solutions maximize utility and promote a clutter-free environment.

5. **Landscape Integration**:
- The outdoor spaces, designed to complement the architectural form, include native vegetation that supports ecological health and enhances visual interest.
- The incorporation of seating areas and pathways provides a smooth integration of built and natural environments.

### Outcomes and Community Engagement
The project distinguishes itself through its narrative-driven design, where each element—from materials to spatial organization—embodies a commitment to eco-conscious living. Community involvement in local waste collection and recycling efforts strengthens social ties while addressing environmental issues. The modularity of the design allows for adaptability, meeting the evolving needs of residents and enhancing long-term usability.

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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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