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Salt Crystal Walls and Elevated Timber Structures Enhance Communal Living

Author:
Joanna Kuczkowska
Salt Crystal Walls and Elevated Timber Structures Enhance Communal Living

Project in-detail

Employing elevated timber structures and integrating salt crystal walls, the design creates a seamless blend of ecological sensitivity and communal living, enhancing the guest accommodation experience.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates salt crystal walls that interact with light to create dynamic indoor atmospheres.
02
Utilizes elevated concrete posts for improved drainage and future expansion capabilities.
03
Features modular guest units that allow for flexible accommodation arrangements.
04
Integrates cross-laminated timber for both structural integrity and aesthetic warmth.
05
Design emphasizes natural ventilation and energy efficiency through passive strategies.

### Overview

Located in a picturesque mountainous region, the "Salt and Wood" project aims to create a multi-functional facility that accommodates guests while integrating technical and communal spaces. The intent is to establish an environment that emphasizes sustainability and user experience through a deliberate selection of materials and architectural forms that harmonize with the natural surroundings.

### Spatial Configuration and Flexibility

The design comprises three distinct sections: a host house, guest quarters, and a communal area that includes a covered terrace, kitchen, and restrooms. Elevated on concrete posts, the building allows for future expansion through a modular approach that enhances adaptability. The rectangular configuration features circular architectural elements that promote an organic flow between spaces, facilitating community interaction while providing privacy in the guest quarters located on the upper level. Movable bedroom units optimize the layout for varying guest capacities without compromising comfort.

### Material Integration and Sustainability

A carefully curated selection of materials underpins the project's integrity and aesthetic. The primary facade material, timber cladding, contributes natural warmth, while glass elements in the circular designs provide unobstructed views of the landscape, fostering a strong indoor-outdoor connection. Salt crystals, used in the installation of a central wall, interact with natural light, creating an ethereal ambiance that evolves throughout the day. Sustainable practices are embedded in the design, highlighted by passive ventilation, solar orientation for thermal comfort, and a rainwater harvesting system paired with efficient wastewater management solutions. The integration of corrosive-resistant materials in drainage systems emphasizes the project's commitment to durability and functionality.

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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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