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Skylit Residence with Tidal Courtyard for Light-Sensitive Photographers

Authors:
梦溪 陈, 千寻 屠, 葆涵 蔡, 雨禾 潘
Skylit Residence with Tidal Courtyard for Light-Sensitive Photographers

Project in-detail

Designed with slanted glass walls and a tidal courtyard, this residence offers light-sensitive photographers a unique living space that fosters a deep connection with the surrounding coastal environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Designed specifically for two albino photographers, ensuring minimal direct sunlight exposure.
02
Incorporates slanted glass curtain walls to manage natural light effectively.
03
Includes a tidal courtyard that changes appearance with shifting sea levels.
04
Utilizes tactile guidance systems to assist movement in low-light conditions.
05
Focuses on a strong connection between the indoor spaces and the coastal environment.

The Catcher of Cycle is located in a coastal area and designed for a couple of albino photographers. The residence responds to their specific needs by emphasizing a strong connection to the surrounding landscape. The main goal is to create a comfortable living space that minimizes direct sunlight while encouraging creativity and interaction with nature.

Light Management

The design focuses on managing light carefully. Instead of large windows, the residence incorporates small skylights and slanted glass curtain walls. These features allow soft, indirect light into the home. By doing this, the architects protect the residents from harsh sunlight while also providing a way to experience the changing quality of light throughout the day.

Spatial Organization

The layout of the house is designed to guide movement and connect with the environment. Corridors are strategically placed to capture different amounts of light at various times. In the morning, sunlight illuminates the west corridor, inviting residents from their bedrooms. In the afternoon, the east corridor becomes bright, leading to communal living areas. This design allows for a fluid experience, as the light shifts and alters the atmosphere in each space.

Connection to Nature

The residence integrates closely with its coastal surroundings. A ground floor terrace features a courtyard that changes with the tides. This design not only frames views of the sea but also connects the occupants to the natural rhythms of their environment. As the tides rise and fall, they can observe these changes from the comfort of their home. The water’s reflection creates a dialogue with the building, enhancing the sensory experience.

Material Choices

Material selection plays an important role in the design. Glass is used extensively to control light and maintain views of the natural landscape. This choice is consistent with the objective of reducing direct sunlight exposure. Concrete serves as the structural foundation, providing stability and linking the residence to its coastal setting. Together, these materials support the design's aim of connecting the built space with the natural world.

Throughout the day, as sunlight moves, the residence takes on new qualities, creating varied experiences in each room, shaped by the dance of light and shadow.

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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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