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Rooftop Living with Thatch and Solar Tiles for Sustainable Micro-Housing

Authors:
Lorenza Marenco, Fabio Azzolina, Kaan Sahinoglu
Rooftop Living with Thatch and Solar Tiles for Sustainable Micro-Housing

Project in-detail

Utilizing a modular design with a thatch exterior and integrated solar tiles, this micro-home redefines urban living by transforming rooftop spaces into sustainable housing solutions.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rooftop design maximizes urban space efficiency.
02
Modular frames allow for customizable interior layouts.
03
Thatch roofing provides cost-effective insulation and aesthetics.
04
Integrated solar tiles contribute to self-sustaining energy use.
05
Compact footprint promotes community living in dense areas.

The Peak architectural design is located in the busy city of Milano, Italy, where it responds to the urgent need for affordable housing. The project focuses on using rooftop spaces to create living solutions that are both sustainable and functional. This approach meets the challenges posed by a growing population and aims to provide adaptable micro-homes that encourage communal living while offering individual privacy.

Design Concept and Layout

Central to Peak is its modular design, featuring frames that are 60cm wide. This allows for customizable living areas, accommodating different needs and preferences. Residents can adjust their spaces to include a work-study, kitchen, dining area, bathroom, and sleeping quarters. The layout is designed to maximize the efficient use of space while promoting a sense of community among those who inhabit it.

Sustainability and Materiality

Sustainability plays a key role in the design of Peak. The structure is primarily made from wood, chosen for its light weight and renewable nature. In addition, one side of the building incorporates thatch, a traditional roofing material known for its affordability and long-standing use in various environments. This blend of materials contributes to the ecological focus of the project.

Energy Efficiency Features

A significant element of Peak is the integration of Tesla photovoltaic solar tiles, which have a rated efficiency of 1000W/m². These tiles are part of the roof design, enabling the micro-home to capture renewable energy effectively. The roof's size allows for ample solar harvesting, reducing dependence on external power sources and promoting a self-sufficient lifestyle for residents.

Transport and Practicality

Peak is designed with practical considerations in mind. It can be transported using standard delivery trucks, facilitating easy assembly and mobility in urban settings. Such a design approach ensures that the project can adapt to different city environments while maintaining its innovative features and sustainable characteristics.

Attention is given to how the interior spaces are organized, balancing utility with comfort. Each area is designed to interact with the others, creating a cohesive living experience that meets contemporary urban needs.

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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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