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Translucent Membranes and Local Timber Define A Community-Centered Residential Space

Authors:
Jesse Clement Fung, Oliver Prince Bactad, Sirikitiya Naranun, Hayden Smith
Translucent Membranes and Local Timber Define A Community-Centered Residential Space

Project in-detail

Utilizing translucent membranes and local timber, the design creates interconnected social spaces that enhance community interaction within a modern residential framework.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes translucent membranes to optimize natural light and create open spaces.
02
Incorporates local timber to reinforce environmental sustainability and connect with the region.
03
Features a bent A-frame design, promoting unique spatial dynamics and visual interest.
04
Employs interlocking volumes to enhance community connectivity and interaction.
05
Charred wooden shingles serve both aesthetic and protective purposes, ensuring durability.

### Overview

The project located at Cornell House in Ithaca, New York, seeks to innovate within the realm of residential architecture by reinterpreting living spaces as a series of interconnected frames. The intent is to foster community interaction and personal introspection through the exploration of dynamic forms and spatial relationships. By drawing inspiration from the narrative contexts found in sitcoms, the design symbolizes familiar domestic environments through its structural composition.

### Architectural Form and Spatial Configuration

The design features fluid, shell-like canopy structures that suggest adaptability and movement. Transparent roof membranes facilitate natural light penetration, merging indoor and outdoor spaces to enhance the living experience. Complementary angular wooden frames contribute both structural integrity and aesthetic complexity.

The interior layout encourages organic flow, blending communal and private spaces effectively. Centralized areas such as kitchens and living rooms facilitate interaction, while private rooms are positioned for tranquility and privacy. This configuration supports various social scenarios, embodying the project’s vision of dynamic living environments.

### Materiality and Sustainability

Key materials include a transparent membrane for the roof, which diffuses light and creates an ethereal atmosphere. Locally sourced timber provides warmth and a connection to the site's geography, while glass and acrylic panels in the façade enhance visual connectivity with the surroundings. Concrete forms the foundation and structural elements, ensuring durability.

The project emphasizes sustainability by employing local materials and adaptive forms that respond to environmental conditions. The use of transparent materials improves energy efficiency by maximizing daylight and supports a dialogue about indoor-outdoor living. Technological advancements in architectural visualization also play a significant role, allowing for detailed contextual representations to guide the design process.

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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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