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Vented Façade and Engineered Wood Create Connection to Marshland Ecosystem

Authors:
Yunle Chen, Shixun Wang, Seung Min Kim
Vented Façade and Engineered Wood Create Connection to Marshland Ecosystem

Project in-detail

Featuring a vented façade that allows natural light to filter through and engineered wood elements that resonate with the surrounding wetlands, the structure serves as a community hub for environmental education and observation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Vented façade enhances natural ventilation and light quality.
02
Cross-laminated timber panels provide structural stability and sustainability.
03
Charred wooden shingles offer fire resistance and an organic aesthetic.
04
The bent A-frame design mirrors the surrounding reeds in the marshland.
05
Multi-level observation areas promote immersive environmental experiences.

### Overview

Located adjacent to Silver Lake within the De Smet Forest, the project serves as an observation tower and community platform, designed to enhance the interaction between human activity and the surrounding marshland ecosystem. The intent is to create a space that not only facilitates observation of the natural environment but also embodies a narrative that reflects the rhythms of nature and human migration.

### Spatial Strategy

The architectural composition features an angular form with dynamic lines that evoke the movement of reeds in the wind. Ground-level spaces are designed for community gatherings and events, fostering social interaction, while an elevated observatory deck provides expansive views of the wetlands. A carefully planned circulation strategy allows visitors to move through the structure seamlessly, engaging with the landscape from varying perspectives, thereby enhancing their connection to the natural surroundings.

### Material Selection

A thoughtful selection of materials ensures that the design resonates with its ecological context. Steel serves as the primary structural component, providing durability, while engineered wood is utilized for cladding and staircases, reflecting the natural materials found in the marshlands. Extensive use of glass allows for large openings that frame views of the wetland, reinforcing the relationship between the interior space and the exterior environment. The foundation and flooring are constructed from concrete, selected for its stability in the marshy terrain, thus ensuring the project's longevity while maintaining a commitment to sustainability.

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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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