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Sustainable Living Featuring Chukum Walls and Tzalam Wood Elements in a Yucatán Micro Home

Author:
Claudia Estivaliz Suarez Ahedo
Sustainable Living Featuring Chukum Walls and Tzalam Wood Elements in a Yucatán Micro Home

Project in-detail

Built with locally sourced Chukum walls and Tzalam wood, this micro home in Yucatán emphasizes sustainability and community, creating an efficient living space that connects residents with their natural environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted with sustainable Chukum, the walls provide natural insulation and moisture resistance.
02
Tzalam wood is utilized for structural elements, promoting regional material use and craftsmanship.
03
The open pavilion layout maximizes cross-ventilation, reducing energy consumption.
04
Curved ceilings enhance the sense of space and facilitate natural light flow.
05
Designed to integrate with a community-focused layout, fostering social interaction among residents.

### Overview

Casa Nah Lik' is a micro home situated in the culturally rich Yucatán region of Mexico. The design philosophy incorporates natural materials and large openings to create a connection with the surrounding landscape. By drawing on local influences, the project aims to promote sustainable living while ensuring a comfortable living environment.

### Spatial Organization and Functionality

The architectural design employs a continuous pavilion concept that facilitates a fluid transition between indoor and outdoor areas. The semi-circular arch ceiling introduces a sense of verticality, enhancing the perception of space despite the home’s compact dimensions. The thoughtful layout includes interconnected living areas, a semi-private bedroom, and a simplistic bathroom design, fostering both privacy and communal interaction. Large windows and wooden shutters maximize natural light and airflow, establishing a direct visual connection with the exterior environment.

### Material Selection and Sustainability

A limited yet significant material palette underscores the project's commitment to local traditions and modern design principles. Local Tzalam wood is utilized for shutters and furniture, chosen for its durability and aesthetic appeal. Polished concrete is employed for flooring, providing a modern finish with longevity. Chukum, a material derived from ancient Mayan techniques, is used for walls, prized for both its waterproofing properties and visual texture. Sustainable initiatives such as natural ventilation through strategically placed windows, solar power integration via solar trees, and a community-focused design that includes green spaces, collectively promote ecological harmony and enhance the livability of the space.

These design elements exemplify how thoughtful architecture can respect the environment while facilitating a functional and engaging user experience.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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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