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Wood Siding and Rock Wool Create Efficient Backyard Living Units

Authors:
Nathan Bonneville, Pierre-charles Gauthier
Wood Siding and Rock Wool Create Efficient Backyard Living Units

Project in-detail

Constructed with wood siding and rock wool insulation, these backyard living units provide sustainable and efficient housing solutions within suburban landscapes.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes prefabricated wall sections for efficient assembly.
02
Incorporates wood exterior siding for aesthetic warmth and durability.
03
Integrates community pathways to enhance social interaction among residents.
04
Includes multiple backyard living units on existing properties.
05
Focuses on sustainable resource management with integrated utilities.

The design centers on addressing the challenges associated with suburban sprawl in North America. Traditional suburbs often lead to environmental degradation, increased commuting times, and socio-economic divides. The key concept focuses on densifying suburban spaces by creating micro-communities that promote efficient land use and sustainable living while enhancing connections among residents.

Micro-Community Development

The proposal targets underutilized suburban areas, which have been identified as having an underuse rate of 25-50%. It seeks to utilize existing structures by allowing for the development of secondary living units. The introduction of tiny living options in backyards enables homeowners to create rental units suitable for aging family members or young adults starting out. These adjustments aim to maximize land use without the need for large-scale construction.

Mixed-Use Integration

The design incorporates a mixed-use neighborhood approach, featuring vital local amenities like grocery stores, libraries, and community centers within the micro-community framework. This thoughtful arrangement lessens the reliance on transportation and encourages a walkable environment. Establishing pathways and communal spaces that connect the various micro-units enhances social interaction, encouraging residents to engage and support one another.

Managing Privacy within Densification

The design carefully addresses the need for privacy in densely populated areas. By arranging micro homes in intimate clusters, personal space is maintained while still allowing for community dynamics. Open spaces are included to invite social interactions, balancing individuality with a sense of belonging. This design approach helps create an environment where residents can feel connected yet also have their own private areas to retreat to.

Sustainable Resource Management

Material choices in the project involve prefabricated wall sections, wood exterior siding, ventilation chambers, and rock wool insulation. These materials align with the goal of creating sustainable and efficient structures. Integrated plumbing and electrical systems are designed to connect with existing suburban infrastructure. This emphasis on resource management supports an efficient urban environment that serves current and future residents well.

Public spaces in the development will serve as focal points for community activities, encouraging residents to gather and participate in shared experiences. This design element is aimed at fostering a strong sense of neighborhood, making it easier for individuals to engage deeply with their surroundings and each other.

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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
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