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Tactile Navigation Spaces Using Guadua and Brick in a Residential Setting

Authors:
Miguel Steiner, Juan Diego Rojas, Manuel Alejandro Lombana
Tactile Navigation Spaces Using Guadua and Brick in a Residential Setting

Project in-detail

Utilizing Guadua and brick, this residential space offers tactile navigation cues and distinct micro environments, creating an inclusive habitat for visually impaired individuals.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes Guadua bamboo for enhanced structural flexibility.
02
Incorporates varied textures to aid navigation for visually impaired residents.
03
Emphasizes curved walls to eliminate sharp corners and promote flow.
04
Creates distinct sensory micro environments within the living spaces.
05
Integrates local brick masonry to blend with Cartagena's architectural heritage.

8 House is located in the historic center of Cartagena, Colombia, designed with a focus on including people who are visually impaired. The goal is to create a living space that is functional and pleasant for everyone, whether they are residents or visitors. The design combines modern architectural ideas with the character of the area's colonial buildings and lush surroundings.

Design Concept and Spatial Flow
The concept revolves around creating different environments within the house, where each space offers a unique sensory experience. The design intentionally manipulates elements like temperature, ventilation, and sound, which improve the overall quality of living. Circulation is a key consideration; curved walls are used to eliminate sharp corners. This creates a smooth path that helps with navigation. The flow of the space is meant to guide all users easily from one area to another.

Tactile Elements and Navigation
Inside, 8 House features various tactile cues that assist residents in finding their way. Different textures on the walls and floors provide important sensory information, making it easier for individuals to understand their surroundings. These changes in texture convey a sense of place and guide movement. The inclusion of these elements is essential in creating a supportive environment, blending practicality with thoughtful design.

Materiality and Environmental Considerations
The design uses traditional brick masonry, a common feature in Colombian buildings, allowing for flexibility in how form and space are arranged. Guadua, a type of bamboo found locally, is also part of the construction strategy. It is known for its strength and is used to create structures that promote natural airflow. These material choices not only fit within the local architectural style but also enhance the house's overall environmental performance.

Interconnection with Nature
8 House takes advantage of the rich landscape of native tropical plants surrounding it. The design encourages a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing nature to come into the living areas. This relationship creates a comfortable atmosphere and enhances life quality. The architectural approach fully appreciates its environment, providing both an inviting feel and a functional setting within the urban landscape.

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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
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