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Translucent Polycarbonate Panels and Modular Timber Design For Sustainable Temporary Housing Solutions

Authors:
Nouras Hamdan, Nour Hamdan, Siavash Dadpour, Bertalan Kaczian
Translucent Polycarbonate Panels and Modular Timber Design For Sustainable Temporary Housing Solutions

Project in-detail

Modular timber construction and translucent polycarbonate panels combine to create a flexible housing solution designed to provide immediate shelter for displaced individuals in post-disaster scenarios.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular design allows for rapid assembly and disassembly in emergency situations.
02
Utilizes translucent polycarbonate panels to maximize natural light while maintaining privacy.
03
Incorporates a central service core for kitchen and bathroom facilities, optimizing space efficiency.
04
Integrates renewable energy solutions with solar panels for off-grid living capabilities.
05
Constructed with sustainable timber materials, enhancing environmental performance and durability.

## Project Overview
The Cabinet Home project addresses the global challenges of displacement resulting from conflicts, natural disasters, and human rights violations. The design aims to provide functional and sustainable post-disaster housing solutions, facilitating rapid deployment and community organization in various settings. Its modular structure is engineered to meet the urgent need for adaptable, efficient living environments for displaced populations.

### Spatial Organization
The Cabinet Home employs an innovative "cabinet" system that serves as a central hub for essential utilities, including a kitchen and bathroom, while also providing storage solutions. This layout enables units to expand outward from the core, creating an open floor plan that maximizes usability. The design features both packed and open configurations to accommodate diverse occupant needs and promote social interaction while maintaining individual privacy.

### Material and Sustainability Strategies
Careful selection of materials enhances both functionality and sustainability in Cabinet Home. Key materials include timber for structural integrity, durable plywood panels, and insulated timber waffle slabs for environmental resilience. Translucent polycarbonate panels allow natural light intake while preserving privacy, and the integration of photovoltaic solar panels supports renewable energy use. A rainwater collection system coupled with a composting toilet reinforces eco-friendly practices. This combination of elements ensures that the design meets the demands of post-disaster recovery while minimizing its environmental impact.

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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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