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Sustainable Gabion Walls Accompanying QuadCore Panels in Community Living Solutions

Sustainable Gabion Walls Accompanying QuadCore Panels in Community Living Solutions

Project in-detail

Constructed with thermal-efficient QuadCore panels and resilient gabion walls, this microhousing solution offers a culturally resonant and sustainable living environment for the Inuit community in Nunavut.
5 key facts about this project
01
Uses locally sourced gabion walls to blend with the natural landscape.
02
Incorporates QuadCore panels for superior insulation against Arctic temperatures.
03
Features modular design for flexibility in user configuration and community needs.
04
Integrates renewable energy solutions, including solar panels and wind turbines.
05
Reflects Inuit cultural heritage through its communal living focus and architectural elements.

### Overview

Inotsiavik is a microhousing initiative situated in Nunavut, Canada, designed specifically for the Inuit community. The project addresses critical housing shortages while reflecting the cultural values and traditions of the Inuit people. By integrating modern living requirements with elements characteristic of traditional Inuit architecture, the initiative aims to create a supportive and sustainable living environment in an area known for its extreme climate challenges.

### Design Strategy and Materiality

The structural design employs modular components, allowing for efficient transportation and assembly in remote locations. Each housing unit is strategically created to promote community interaction, with spaces dedicated to communal gatherings and activities that honor the Inuit way of life. Material selection emphasizes sustainability and resilience, featuring QuadCore® K1000RV LEC roof panels for thermal efficiency, composite wall panels for insulation, and gabion walls made from locally sourced stones for durability and aesthetic coherence with the natural surroundings.

The project also integrates sustainable energy solutions, including solar panels and wind turbines, to ensure self-sufficiency. Water collection systems designed to capture snowmelt further enhance sustainability, addressing essential resource needs in the region's harsh environment. This approach not only respects the ecological constraints but also fosters resilience against the severe weather conditions typical of the Arctic.

### Community Engagement and Cultural Integration

Inotsiavik prioritizes cultural resonance by incorporating elements that reflect Inuit heritage and community values. The adaptable design allows for flexibility in unit size and configuration, meeting the evolving needs of residents. This emphasis on community-focused living enhances emotional connections to the environment, aiming to bridge the gap created by previous housing solutions that did not sufficiently mirror traditional lifestyles. By addressing both practical and cultural aspects, the project provides a framework for revitalizing Inuit identity while ensuring functional living spaces in an extreme climate.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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