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Shadows of Pressed Cypress in a Small Residential Retreat

Author:
Daiki Toyama
Shadows of Pressed Cypress in a Small Residential Retreat

Project in-detail

Crafted from pressed cypress and cedar, the residence integrates shifting shadows with a simple layout, offering a close connection to nature while serving as a comfortable living space.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted to maximize daylight, the design allows for fluid shadow play throughout the living spaces.
02
Features a central top light that changes the atmosphere as sunlight shifts.
03
Incorporates vernacular building references, fostering a strong connection to local traditions.
04
Utilizes pressed cypress bark for roofing, linking the structure to its natural surroundings.
05
Includes a small courtyard that connects interior spaces with the environment.

"Shadow Hat" explores the relationship between light, shadow, and the natural environment. The design prioritizes continuity with the surrounding landscape and emphasizes the importance of shadows in residential spaces. By addressing the dominance of artificial lighting in contemporary living, it aims to reconnect inhabitants with their environment in meaningful ways.

Conceptual Framework

The project focuses on how shadows can enhance the experience of a home. It seeks to revive the historical connection between light and space that has faded with modern advancements. In the center of the living area, a source of natural light invites shadows to shift throughout the day, creating a changing atmosphere inside. This dynamic interplay enriches the living experience, encouraging residents to engage more fully with their surroundings.

Spatial Organization

Space is organized thoughtfully, including features such as a small courtyard, a bedroom, a toilet, a bathroom, and a combined living room and kitchen. Each area is designed to maintain a sense of closeness to nature while offering the comfort of shaded spaces. The layout allows light to flow in while also providing moments of refuge, redefining how occupants interact with both interior and exterior environments.

Material Context

The design incorporates materials that reflect its underlying principles. The roof consists of tiles made from pressed cypress bark, connecting visually to the natural landscape. Structural elements feature cedar columns and beams, providing strength as well as a link to traditional building techniques. The flooring is composed of patch wood, adding warmth and contributing to an atmosphere that emphasizes natural materials and local character.

As daylight filters through the design, it creates patterns of shadow that evolve with the passing hours. This unfolding visual display not only enhances the lived experience but also nurtures a connection to nature, inviting a deeper appreciation of the changing light throughout the day.

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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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