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Rotated Walls and Low Iron Glass Unite Craft and Living Space

Authors:
Yiying Tang, Yue Lu, Shijia Liu
Rotated Walls and Low Iron Glass Unite Craft and Living Space

Project in-detail

Rotated walls create adaptable living and working spaces enhanced by low iron glass, offering a multifunctional environment tailored for handicraft production and retail.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rotated walls allow for dynamic reconfiguration between public and private spaces.
02
Integrated courtyard enhances natural light and outdoor accessibility.
03
Low iron glass minimizes visual distortion while maximizing light entry.
04
Design includes dedicated storage for materials to streamline workflow.
05
Focused on supporting traditional handicraft production and retail in urban settings.

FLIPBLOCK combines living and working spaces, serving the needs of handicraft producers in an urban environment. The design integrates functionality with flexibility, creating a unit that addresses the challenges artisans face today. The central idea is to allow spaces to shift easily between different uses, enabling a smooth transition from public to private areas. This approach supports the unique requirements of small craftspeople, who often blend their home life with work.

Design Concept

At the heart of FLIPBLOCK are rotated functional walls, which adjust the layout according to the needs of the moment. This design enables users to modify their surroundings, empowering artisans to create an environment that fits their daily routines. The arrangement includes essential spaces such as a reception area, fitting rooms, and workstations, ensuring a harmonious coexistence of living and creative activities within a single framework.

Functional Areas

The layout prioritizes key functional areas, featuring elements like a clothes display wall, material storage, and a dedicated workstation specifically designed for tailoring. These components improve productivity and accessibility, allowing artisans to work efficiently. Additionally, residential spaces such as bedrooms and bathrooms are included, enhancing the versatility of the unit for those who live and work on-site.

Material Choices

Materials play a vital role in the structure and aesthetic of FLIPBLOCK. A cellular roof deck enhances stability while allowing natural light to filter through. The painted steel frames provide support while maintaining a modern look. Low iron U shape glass in the windows ensures clarity and reduces visual distortion. Aluminum awning windows facilitate ventilation, creating a comfortable atmosphere throughout the space.

Design Details

Attention to detail is evident in various elements throughout the unit. Painted steel pivot columns provide support without being intrusive. The rotated display walls and shelves offer flexibility for product showcase, meeting the demands of modern tailoring businesses. An outdoor courtyard extends the living area, and the wood decking adds a touch of warmth. Flipping tables made of wood introduce usability and comfort, making the space practical and inviting.

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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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