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Weatherproof a-Frame with Wooden Tiles and Compact Living Solutions

Authors:
Anton Buller, Donna Felten
Weatherproof a-Frame with Wooden Tiles and Compact Living Solutions
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Constructed with wooden tiles and a fire-proof stove, the compact A-frame offers efficient living space designed for sustainability and year-round use.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed without a traditional foundation, allowing for minimal soil disturbance.
02
Incorporates a fold-out table to maximize limited interior space.
03
Features weatherproof entrances designed for year-round accessibility.
04
Utilizes a dry toilet system that promotes sustainability.
05
Crafted entirely from organic materials, with the exception of steel bolts and windows.

The prefabricated Single A-Frame structure is located in Latvia and is designed with simplicity and practicality in mind. It serves as a compact living space that focuses on efficiency and functionality. The A-frame shape enhances structural stability and allows for flexible placement across different environments. The overall design aims to address modern living needs while blending into the natural surroundings.

Materials and Sustainability

This design makes use of wooden tiles, which add to the building's durability as well as its visual character. These materials help the structure withstand various weather conditions. An important aspect of the design is the commitment to using organic materials, reflecting a concern for the environment and a desire to keep the ecological impact minimal.

Functional Layout

Inside, the layout is crafted to accommodate essential day-to-day activities within a small area. Spaces are allocated for work, meditation, and relaxation, giving residents the opportunity to balance productivity and rest. A dry toilet and water dispenser are included, ensuring that basic needs are met without complicated systems. There is also storage space and a stove installed on a fire-proof plate, which maintains safety and allows for cooking.

Innovative Footing and Structural Details

Using an innovative approach, this design eliminates the need for traditional foundations. This method reduces soil disturbance and supports ecological preservation in the area. The walls feature spaced sheathing and wood shakes, offering good insulation and adding a rustic touch to the appearance. Practical design features, such as a removable sleeping space and a fold-out table, show careful consideration of how to maximize the limited space available.

Attention to detail is evident in additional features like a weatherproof entrance and a designated firewood porch. These elements ensure the building is prepared for year-round living, highlighting the thoughtful approach taken in the overall design.

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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.

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Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

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Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

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