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Timber Towers with Undulating Facades in a Mixed-Use Community

Author:
Olav Van der doorn
Timber Towers with Undulating Facades in a Mixed-Use Community

Project in-detail

The transparent, undulating facades of the timber towers create visually engaging spaces in a mixed-use neighbourhood designed to foster community interaction and provide affordable housing solutions.
5 key facts about this project
01
Four towers utilize transparent facades to enhance visual access and neighborhood connection.
02
Solid timber construction emphasizes sustainability and environmental awareness.
03
Public cavities within the core promote social interaction among residents.
04
Mixed-use functionality integrates living spaces with essential services.
05
The design prioritizes both privacy and community engagement in urban living.

The 8x8 design addresses the pressing need for affordable housing in urban areas. It presents a three-dimensional neighbourhood that blends various uses, creating an environment suited for both living and community engagement. The overall concept aims to tackle local housing issues while fostering social interaction among residents.

Design Concept

Four towers characterize the project, featuring transparent, undulating facades. This design choice allows for significant visibility and highlights the solid timber construction within. By revealing these structural elements, the design promotes awareness of wooden building practices and their role in modern architecture.

Integration of Public Spaces

Public spaces are a key feature, providing community hubs where residents can interact. These areas contribute to the overall dynamism of the neighbourhood. By merging essential services and communal spaces, the design helps build connections among residents, enhancing the communal experience of living.

Spatial Arrangement

The layout of the towers shows careful planning around urban density. Each tower is designed to maintain a balance between connectivity and privacy for the residents. Public cavities central to the block encourage communal activities, making it easier for residents to engage with one another and foster a sense of community.

Natural light and ventilation are thoughtfully incorporated throughout the interiors, supporting the well-being of the inhabitants. The project carefully balances built structures with open areas, ensuring that both architectural and community needs are met effectively.

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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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