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Sustainable Stilt House Crafted from Composite Materials and Enhanced with Cork Insulation

Sustainable Stilt House Crafted from Composite Materials and Enhanced with Cork Insulation

Project in-detail

Crafted with composite materials and supported by a unique stilt foundation, this sustainable living space maximizes adaptability and energy efficiency while serving as a versatile residential solution.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted using composite materials to enhance durability and sustainability.
02
Incorporates cork insulation for superior thermal performance.
03
Utilizes a unique stilt foundation to minimize environmental impact.
04
Features a reconfigurable interior layout for versatile use.
05
Employs charred wooden shingles to improve weather resistance and aesthetic appeal.

## Overview

The Swing Home project focuses on creating adaptable living spaces that respond to varying environmental contexts such as mountainous, lakeside, and urban settings. It employs a modular housing concept designed to enhance sustainability, flexibility, and ease of construction. By contextualizing the design within contemporary architectural practices, the project seeks to address climate adaptability and provide solutions for diverse living scenarios.

### Modularity and Climate Adaptation

Central to the Swing Home is its modular design, enabling the structure to expand or contract according to the residents' needs. Each module has a footprint of approximately 25 m², facilitating scalable configurations suitable for various applications, including student housing, emergency accommodations, and community spaces. The design responds effectively to climate variations by incorporating distinct insulating layers that enhance energy efficiency, making it suitable for regions affected by extreme weather conditions.

### Material Selection and Sustainability

The material palette for the Swing Home is carefully chosen to emphasize sustainability and reduce environmental impact. The construction utilizes local materials to minimize transportation-related carbon footprints. Key elements include insulated steel roofing, laminated wooden cladding for walls, and pressure-treated wooden flooring, all designed to maximize thermal performance. Additionally, integrated features such as solar panels, a rainwater collection system, and composting facilities promote a self-sufficient living environment.

### Structural Design and User-Centric Configurations

The Swing Home employs a central stilt for structural support, which minimizes environmental disruption and allows for placement in sensitive areas. This innovative foundation solution ensures stability while enabling natural drainage. The design also accommodates flexible layouts that can be adapted throughout the day. For instance, spaces can shift from a productive daytime environment with an open workspace to a restful nighttime configuration with a bedroom. These versatile setups make the Swing Home well-suited for urban environments and areas facing social challenges, serving as a model for both emergency shelters and temporary housing solutions.

By integrating advanced design techniques and a focus on ecological responsibility, the Swing Home establishes a new standard for adaptable living spaces that align with the needs of contemporary society.

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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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