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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

Project in-detail

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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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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