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Spiral Form with Steel Structure and Rainwater Harvesting in Community Living

Authors:
Nuo Chen, Kunsong Li, Shun Shi
Spiral Form with Steel Structure and Rainwater Harvesting in Community Living

Project in-detail

The integration of a spiral form with steel structure and rainwater harvesting systems creates a distinctive community living environment that prioritizes sustainability and social interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Spiral layout encourages natural movement and community interaction.
02
Low boundary wall doubles as seating for communal gatherings.
03
Steel structure designed to harmonize with the rolling hillside.
04
Integrated rainwater collection system supports ecological sustainability.
05
Solar panels on the roof enhance energy efficiency and resource management.

The Spirala Community Home is set on a gently sloping hillside, designed to coexist with its natural surroundings. It aims to bring people together through its layout, featuring a spiral concept that integrates both shared and private spaces. The project places a strong emphasis on functionality and sustainability, creating an environment that encourages social interaction and community living.

Design Concept

At the heart of the design is the spiral shape, which creates a spacious interior while enhancing usability. This form facilitates movement, allowing residents to engage with each other easily. By promoting an open layout alongside intimate areas, the design invites both gathering and personal reflection within the same structure.

Circulation Strategy

The building's circulation is well thought out, guiding foot traffic efficiently while offering specific zones for different activities. There are designated spaces for meetings, relaxation, and dance, allowing for a variety of communal functions to take place. The low boundary wall serves as a gentle transition from the building to the landscape, providing separation while also offering additional seating for gatherings.

Materiality and Sustainability

Material choices focus on sustainability without compromising the structural integrity. Steel is used prominently in the structure, and insulation materials improve energy conservation. The roof is equipped with solar panels, underscoring the commitment to resource efficiency. There are also systems in place for collecting rainwater, which reinforces the goal of ecological responsibility in everyday living.

Integration with Nature

A key aspect of the design is how it blends with the surrounding environment. The roof mimics the contours of the hillside, avoiding a jarring contrast with the landscape. This approach emphasizes a strong connection between the residents and nature, creating an atmosphere that encourages appreciation of the outdoors. The use of design to foster this relationship enhances the overall experience of living in the community home.

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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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