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Vertical Living With Expansive Glass Facades and Warm Wooden Accents in a Compact Urban Home

Author:
Hans De Petter
Vertical Living With Expansive Glass Facades and Warm Wooden Accents in a Compact Urban Home

Project in-detail

Constructed with expansive glass panels and warm wooden elements, the design integrates vertical living and sustainable principles to create a functional urban residence within a 99 m² footprint.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed within a 99 m² footprint, maximizing vertical space for urban living.
02
Utilizes large glass panels to enhance natural light and provide unobstructed views.
03
Features warm wood accents that contrast with the sleek exterior for a balanced aesthetic.
04
Includes a fourth-floor terrace that offers outdoor space in a compact design.
05
Incorporates sandwich panels for improved thermal insulation and energy efficiency.

**99 m² House Overview**
This residential design is situated in an urban environment, emphasizing spatial efficiency and functionality within a 99 square meter footprint. The project adopts a vertical layout to accommodate the needs of a family, and integrates principles of minimalism to foster open, light-filled spaces that enhance the user experience. The architectural strategy also reflects a commitment to sustainability, showcasing conscientious material choices and environmental integration.

**Facade and Material Composition**
The exterior of the house features a varied material palette, contributing to both visual interest and functional performance. Large, blue-tinted glass panels are employed to maximize natural light and promote energy efficiency, while wooden elements provide warmth, serving as both structural infills and decorative features. A subtle brick background connects the building to its urban context, ensuring durability and continuity with the surrounding architecture. Additionally, vivid color accents create focal points that enhance the overall aesthetic and invite interaction.

**Spatial Organization**
The four-level layout of the residence is carefully organized to fulfill distinct functional roles. The ground floor serves as an entry point, complemented by a small garden area that contributes greenery to the urban setting. The first floor hosts essential living areas, promoting an open-plan design conducive to social interaction. The second floor includes private bedrooms with en-suite facilities, ensuring a balance of privacy and connectivity to communal areas. The third floor showcases multifunctional spaces adaptable to future needs, while the fourth level functions as a terrace, offering outdoor living opportunities and urban views.

By carefully considering materiality and spatial strategy, this design effectively addresses the dynamics of modern urban living, fostering an adaptable and sustainable residential environment.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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