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Timber Framework Enhances Privacy and Sensory Experience in Residential Living

Authors:
Derek Jeong, Clare Na
Timber Framework Enhances Privacy and Sensory Experience in Residential Living

Project in-detail

Timber elements provide tactile navigation and privacy while a thoughtfully designed courtyard enhances sensory engagement in a home for visually impaired residents.
5 key facts about this project
01
Timber serves as a tactile guide throughout the home.
02
The design incorporates a secluded courtyard for privacy and reflection.
03
Public and private spaces are clearly defined to enhance comfort.
04
Natural light floods the interior, fostering a vibrant atmosphere.
05
Curved pathways aid navigation for visually impaired residents.

The design "HOME FOR THE BLIND: IN-TOUCH, IN-TRUST, IN-TACT" is located in Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand. Its main goal is to create a living space that meets the needs of visually impaired individuals through thoughtful spatial arrangements. The concept focuses on ensuring safety and comfort while promoting sensory interactions with the environment.

Spatial Arrangement
The layout divides the home into public and private areas, allowing for social interaction and personal solitude. As inhabitants enter, they follow a split path that guides them while encouraging movement throughout the house. This approach ensures that accessibility is integrated into the design. Elements that invite touch help residents navigate their surroundings and feel more connected to the space.

Public and Private Areas
The public spaces, such as the living room and dining room, are designed for gatherings. These areas serve as hubs for residents and their visitors, fostering a sense of community. Complementing these spaces is a courtyard, providing a connection to the outside world. This courtyard brings in natural light and fresh air, creating a serene atmosphere for quiet moments and reflection.

Focus on Privacy
The private wing offers a sense of security, carefully designed to limit visibility from the street. Spaces like the bedroom, shower, and laundry prioritize a peaceful and personal atmosphere. This clear distinction between public and private zones enhances the idea of retreat, making it easier for residents to relax and unwind in their home.


Timber features prominently throughout the design, adding warmth and a tactile quality that supports orientation. This choice not only creates a welcoming atmosphere but also strengthens the relationship between the inhabitants and their surroundings. By integrating these thoughtful details, the design fosters a meaningful connection with both the home and the natural environment.

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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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