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Screwless Assembly of Hybrid Timber and Concrete in a Coastal Retreat

Authors:
Federico García, Victor Guillermo Di Leo, Ivo Poli Ortega, Thomas Berardi
Screwless Assembly of Hybrid Timber and Concrete in a Coastal Retreat

Project in-detail

Incorporating a screwless assembly technique with hybrid timber and concrete, the coastal cabin offers a versatile retreat that harmonizes with its environment while providing essential shelter for trekkers.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using a screwless assembly method, enhancing visual clarity and structural integrity.
02
Incorporates hybrid timber and concrete for improved durability and environmental integration.
03
Utilizes a unique slatted facade that harmonizes light flow and visual connection with the landscape.
04
Features dedicated zones for sleeping and socializing, promoting versatile usage among trekkers.
05
Designed to require minimal maintenance through the use of weather-resistant materials.

### Project Overview
Located in a coastal setting, the Amber Road Trekking Cabin serves as a functional retreat for trekkers, designed with an emphasis on sustainability and a connection to the surrounding landscape. The architectural intent is to create a harmonious relationship between the built environment and nature, employing innovative construction techniques and a thoughtful selection of materials.

### Material and Structural Innovation
The cabin features a hybrid construction approach that combines timber and concrete, showcasing an interconnected assembly method. Structural elements made from wood in various formats not only provide aesthetic warmth but also aid in regulating indoor humidity. Two cast-in-situ concrete slabs serve as the foundation and roof, enhancing durability while reducing maintenance requirements. Additionally, the use of polycarbonate sheets allows for natural light infiltration and insulation, contributing to an inviting interior environment.

### Spatial Strategy and User Experience
The interior is organized into two distinctive areas: a sleeping space and an external covered area designed for communal activities or private contemplation. This zoning caters to diverse user needs, fostering both individual and group experiences. Strategic openings optimize natural light and ventilation, creating a bright and airy atmosphere. The cabin's slatted facade creates a dynamic play of light and shadow, integrating the indoor space with the external landscape while offering users unique visual connections to their surroundings. The overall design promotes versatility, allowing for a range of activities including sleeping, socializing, and communal gatherings around a fire.

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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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