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Timber Canopy Over Community Seating in a Forest Setting

Authors:
Rabie Alashi, Lavinia Tarif
Timber Canopy Over Community Seating in a Forest Setting

Project in-detail

A modular timber canopy provides shelter over adaptable seating zones, creating a forest food court that promotes community interaction while harmonizing with its natural surroundings.
5 key facts about this project
01
A modular assembly method allows for quick on-site construction.
02
The design integrates multiple seating zones for varying group sizes.
03
Natural materials enhance the connection between the food court and forest.
04
Canopies provide shade while allowing natural light to filter through.
05
Sustainable practices are central to the project's environmental focus.

The Forest Food Court design project introduces a new space that integrates with the forest environment while providing a place for eating and socializing. The design concept focuses on creating an interactive dining area that reflects the beauty of the natural landscape. It prioritizes sustainability and user experience, employing a modular approach that caters to different needs and site conditions.

Modular Design

The design employs a simple and efficient modular framework. Each component can be quickly put together on-site, allowing for flexibility and ease of assembly. Timber is the primary material used, reflecting a commitment to sustainability and ecological awareness. This choice supports a lightweight structure that minimizes the impact on the surrounding environment during construction.

Zoning and Spatial Organization

The layout of the food court features distinct zones that encourage exploration and interaction among visitors. These areas are tailored to foster social engagement and create diverse settings for gathering. The seating arrangements are adaptable, designed to host various events and easily configurable to meet the needs of the community. This ensures that the food court serves as an accessible space for all.

Integration with Nature

The design carefully integrates the seating areas with the natural landscape. The placement promotes a connection between dining and nature, allowing visitors to enjoy their meals while being surrounded by greenery. The transition from built structures to natural elements is smooth, making it easier for guests to appreciate the beauty of the forest.

User Experience and Community Engagement

The project emphasizes the importance of community interactions while maintaining respect for the landscape's integrity. The arrangement of spaces is planned to encourage social connections without overwhelming individuals. This design creates an inviting atmosphere, allowing people to enjoy both their meals and the natural environment.

Above the dining areas, a layered canopy provides shelter and filters light, creating a warm and pleasant ambiance. This feature enhances the experience of eating in nature, offering both protection and a connection to the elements.

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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

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