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Timber Micro-House with Staggered Frames and Thermal Slits

Author:
Drexler Hans
Timber Micro-House with Staggered Frames and Thermal Slits
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Incorporating staggered frames and thermal slits, the solid timber structure achieves high energy efficiency while serving as a micro-house designed for eco-conscious living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Features staggered upright frames that enhance structural integrity.
02
Incorporates thermal slits to improve insulation and reduce energy costs.
03
Eliminates the need for metal fasteners through precision digital fabrication.
04
Design includes dead-air chambers for superior thermal performance.
05
Utilizes solid timber as a mono-material system for sustainability.

The design introduces a contemporary approach to micro-architecture, focusing on sustainability and ecological responsibility. Located in a context that values natural resources, the structure serves as a unique living space that reinterprets the concept of a log cabin. It employs advanced methods of digital design and fabrication. The overall aim is to maximize spatial efficiency while ensuring strong structural integrity.

Innovative Structure

The project features a solid timber building system that creates environmentally friendly and architecturally engaging walls. Rather than using the traditional method of stacking logs horizontally, the design incorporates staggered upright frames. This arrangement allows the vertical elements to be oriented in the direction that provides the most strength, enabling precise saw cuts without sacrificing the wood's structural support.



Sustainability Features

Strategically placed slits in the timber serve multiple purposes. They act as stress-relief cuts, preventing the wood from splitting and ensuring stability and airtightness—key considerations in log construction. Additionally, these slits also serve as dead-air chambers. This design element greatly reduces thermal conductivity and enhances insulation, contributing to the overall energy efficiency of the building.



Digital Fabrication Techniques

The construction process incorporates digital fabrication methods. This technology facilitates the creation of high-precision joints that fit the timber elements together. By doing so, the need for metal fasteners or adhesives is removed. Using a mono-material system that functions as both the structure and insulation demonstrates a clear commitment to minimizing environmental impact.



Spatial Experience

The design maintains a simple aesthetic while ensuring functionality through its form. Curved walls and ceilings optimize space. They create a welcoming atmosphere for residents, enhancing their interaction with the interior and the surrounding environment. Each element is carefully considered, resulting in a thoughtful balance of design and practicality.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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