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Skylit Residence Embraces Light Sensitivity with Glass Walls

Authors:
梦溪 陈, 千寻 屠, 葆涵 蔡, 雨禾 潘
Skylit Residence Embraces Light Sensitivity with Glass Walls
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With carefully designed glass walls and strategically placed skylights, the residence offers a unique environment that prioritizes light sensitivity and natural engagement for its albino photographer occupants.
5 key facts about this project
01
Designed for light-sensitive albino photographers, the residence minimizes direct sunlight exposure.
02
Small skylights and slanted glass walls maximize natural light while maintaining visual comfort.
03
A dynamic courtyard allows occupants to engage with tidal changes and reflections from the sea.
04
Tactile guidance elements facilitate navigation in low-light conditions for residents.
05
The layout offers clear orientation through light, enhancing the daily living experience.

The seaside residence designed for a couple of albino photographers addresses the specific needs and sensitivities of its inhabitants. Located in a picturesque coastal setting, the design aims to create a living space that minimizes direct light while still maximizing the benefits of natural illumination. The overall concept focuses on effective light management, spatial layout, and a strong connection to the surrounding environment.

Light Management

The approach to light management involves the use of small skylights and slanted glass curtain walls. These elements allow for soft, diffused light to enter while avoiding the harshness of direct sun exposure. By reducing the number of traditional windows, the residence redefines how the occupants interact with their surroundings. This method not only protects the residents but also highlights the changing characteristics of light throughout the day.

Spatial Organization

The layout of the residence is carefully designed to enhance movement and orientation. In the morning, sunlight streams into the west corridor, guiding occupants from their bedrooms. As the day progresses, light shifts to illuminate the east corridor, directing people toward social areas such as the dining room. This organization of space fosters a natural flow and enhances the comfort of living in a home that responds to the rhythm of the day.

Connection to Nature

At the heart of the design is a courtyard that serves as a bridge between the indoors and the coastal setting. This outdoor space is designed to change with the tides, offering different views and experiences throughout the day. Water reflections play off the architectural forms, creating a thoughtful interaction of light and shadow that adds depth to daily life. The courtyard becomes a vital aspect of the residence, integrating it with the landscape.

Tactile Guidance

The residence incorporates tactile guidance to support the mobility of its light-sensitive residents. Careful attention to sensory elements helps the occupants navigate their home comfortably, even in low-light conditions. This design choice acknowledges the unique experiences of the residents, making the living environment both functional and considerate of their needs.

The interplay of natural light and carefully designed spaces draws attention to the reflections of the sea. The architectural design encourages an ongoing connection to nature, enriching the everyday experience of those who live within its walls.

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Enter an open architecture
competition now

Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

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

Open architecture competitions

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    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge

AIA (American Institute of Architects) invites you to design affordable housing in Denver

Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 18 September 2025

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Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

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