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Translucent Polycarbonate Structure for Sustainable Living

Author:
Sophie Hollebecq
Translucent Polycarbonate Structure for Sustainable Living

Project in-detail

Translucent polycarbonate envelopes a compact living space designed for a couple, seamlessly connecting indoor comfort with the natural environment while promoting sustainable practices.
5 key facts about this project
01
Translucent polycarbonate provides high light transmission while maintaining thermal efficiency.
02
The design incorporates recycled and recyclable materials to enhance sustainability.
03
Layout includes dedicated spaces for both living and working, accommodating modern lifestyles.
04
Green Bakelite plywood ensures durability while minimizing environmental impact.
05
The structure fosters a strong connection to nature through its open and inviting design.

The LE LIGHT ECOCUBE project provides a practical housing solution for individuals involved in permaculture and market gardening. It aims to offer accessible accommodation close to agricultural land. The design integrates with the landscape, focusing on a straightforward approach that promotes sustainability and comfort for its inhabitants.

Material Selection

The project uses recycled and recyclable translucent polycarbonate as a primary building material. This choice allows ample natural light to enter while reducing heat loss. The polycarbonate facilitates a connection between inside and outside spaces, aligning with the project's goal of openness. Its insulation properties help maintain a comfortable indoor climate, making it suitable for year-round living.

Spatial Organization

The layout effectively meets the needs of a couple, featuring distinct areas for storage, a bedroom, a bathroom, a lavatory, a kitchen, a dining/working area, and a living space. This arrangement emphasizes functionality in a compact design. Each section is thoughtfully organized, ensuring that essential living requirements are addressed while maximizing usability.

Structural Integrity

In conjunction with the polycarbonate, green Bakelite plywood and pine plywood, each 18 mm thick, contribute to the structure's stability. These materials support durability while maintaining a focus on sustainability. The inclusion of such materials enhances the overall construction, ensuring that the dwelling is both lightweight and resilient.

The design culminates in an extensive use of translucent surfaces, inviting the surrounding environment into the living space and fostering a sense of calm and connection to nature.

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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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