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Spiraling Glass Facade with Sustainable Concrete and Charred Wood Elements for Community Engagement

Authors:
Valeria Davila, Vrunda Priteshbhai Desai
Spiraling Glass Facade with Sustainable Concrete and Charred Wood Elements for Community Engagement

Project in-detail

The integration of a spiraling glass facade with charred wood accents and a sustainable concrete base creates a distinctive environment designed to foster community engagement and interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Spiraling form enhances natural light penetration and spatial flow.
02
Charred wooden shingles provide both aesthetic appeal and fire resistance.
03
Integrated pathways create seamless connections between indoor and outdoor spaces.
04
Cross-laminated timber panels ensure structural integrity while reducing carbon footprint.
05
The design incorporates natural ventilation strategies for improved indoor air quality.

### Overview

Located in a dynamic landscape characterized by mountains and valleys, this project aims to create a harmonious relationship between architecture and its natural surroundings. The design prioritizes spatial organization and ecological sensitivity, reflecting a profound commitment to integrating built environments with their context. The result is a structure that emphasizes movement and community interaction, encouraging exploration and engagement within the site.

### Materiality and Construction

The chosen materials fulfill both practical and aesthetic needs, contributing to the project's overall integrity. Glass elements facilitate transparency and visual connectivity with the surrounding landscape, while stainless steel offers structural reliability and a contemporary aesthetic. The primary structural base features concrete for durability, complemented by interior wood accents that introduce warmth and enhance user experience. Innovative materials, potentially including composites, are proposed to further strengthen the project's sustainability and visual impact.

### Spatial Configuration and Environmental Integration

The layout employs interconnected circular forms, promoting intuitive movement and visual exploration throughout the site. Spiraling pathways and a central gathering area foster social interaction and communal engagement. Environmental considerations include the use of local materials and sustainable building practices, such as natural ventilation and daylighting techniques, which are integral to minimizing the project’s ecological footprint. The design accommodates diverse functions, from exhibition themes to recreational spaces, ensuring adaptability and attracting a wide range of users.

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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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