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Rotatable Wooden Panels and Natural Light Shape A Community-Centric Elderly Residence

Authors:
Pablo Garza, Stephania Sosa
Rotatable Wooden Panels and Natural Light Shape A Community-Centric Elderly Residence

Project in-detail

With its rotatable wooden panels and abundant natural light, the design fosters a dynamic and engaging environment for residents, creating a supportive elderly living community that prioritizes accessibility and well-being.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rotatable wooden panels enable residents to customize their privacy and light exposure.
02
Circular layout promotes equal access to communal spaces and essential services.
03
Extensive use of glass enhances natural light and connection to outdoor areas.
04
Community garden integrates native plants to support ecological harmony.
05
On-site health services enhance accessibility while maintaining a residential atmosphere.

### Project Overview

Eden Care, located in the Leiria district of Portugal, is an architectural venture focused on the development of a residence for the elderly that emphasizes comfort, community support, and enhanced living conditions for senior citizens. The design prioritizes the dignity and fulfillment of its residents, facilitating a lifestyle that promotes social interaction and personal well-being.

### Layout and Spatial Organization

The building is structured across two levels: a ground floor that accommodates communal areas and a basement designed for operational support services. A circular core serves as the central hub, from which amenities radiate, ensuring equitable access for all residents. Individual living quarters consist of both single suites and twin accommodations, thoughtfully sized to balance personal space with opportunities for social engagement. Each room is equipped with rotatable wooden panels, allowing residents to adjust their environment for privacy or natural light.

### Materiality and Innovation

The material selection reflects a modern architectural vision while respecting the cultural context of Portugal. Wood is integrated into interior panels to evoke warmth in communal spaces, while extensive use of glass ensures ample natural light, essential for residents’ mental and physical health. Concrete provides structural stability and allows for minimalist design choices, complemented by the inclusion of steel in the framing for durability. Outdoor areas utilize native plants to foster a harmonious relationship with the surrounding environment. Moreover, strategic skylights enhance interior illumination, and the incorporation of green spaces offers residents direct connections to nature, supporting their overall quality of life.

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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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MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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