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Sheep's Wool Insulation and Norway Spruce Cladding in a Cozy Residence with Natural Light

Author:
Franciszek Maj
Sheep's Wool Insulation and Norway Spruce Cladding in a Cozy Residence with Natural Light
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Using sheep's wool insulation and Norway Spruce cladding, the design maximizes natural light through expansive windows and an open courtyard, providing a comfortable residential retreat in the heart of Norway.
5 key facts about this project
01
Designed with an open roof courtyard for natural light and ventilation.
02
Utilizes sheep's wool insulation for enhanced energy efficiency.
03
Features large windows for panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
04
Constructed with Norway Spruce cladding to blend with the natural environment.
05
Incorporates bi-fold doors to seamlessly connect indoor and outdoor spaces.

The design located in Lyngen, Norway, embraces its natural surroundings while providing a comfortable residential space. Situated in a region known for the Midnight Sun during summer and the captivating Northern Lights, the home captures the essence of the landscape. Its design concept focuses on maximizing natural light and creating a strong bond between indoor and outdoor spaces, ensuring that inhabitants can enjoy the environment throughout the day.

Materials and Sustainability

Materials play an important role in the overall concept. The home uses Norway Spruce for its exterior cladding, which helps it blend with the natural environment. Inside, sheep's wool insulation enhances energy efficiency, maintaining warmth during colder months. The structure relies on timber trusses and glulam studs for strength and stability. Waterproof membranes are also implemented to protect the building from the region's weather conditions, ensuring a long-lasting design.

Light and Spatial Relationships

Natural lighting is a central element in the design. Large windows are placed to invite plenty of sunlight into the living spaces, creating a warm atmosphere. Roman blinds are installed to give residents control over light levels, allowing them to adjust brightness as needed. The open roof courtyard is a key feature, providing an outdoor area that connects private rooms with communal living spaces. This layout encourages daylight to fill the interior, enriching everyday experiences.

Interior Organization

The arrangement of rooms is carefully considered for ease of use. The open-plan design links the living area with the kitchen and courtyard, fostering interaction among residents. In contrast, the areas designated for sleeping and bathing offer privacy and a retreat from social activities. This separation allows for both connection and quiet moments, balancing social life and personal space in everyday life.

The final design detail can be found in how the bi-fold doors connect the living area to the courtyard. This setup invites nature in, emphasizing a close relationship between indoor comfort and the outdoor environment, making the home a true reflection of its beautiful setting.

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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

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