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Wooden Boxes Create Tranquil Reading Spaces with Inner Dome

Authors:
Edda Meinertz, Jakob Albrecht
Wooden Boxes Create Tranquil Reading Spaces with Inner Dome

Project in-detail

The integration of nine modular wooden boxes forms a serene inner dome that offers a versatile reading space, balancing private retreat with community interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Adaptive configuration allows for personalized space arrangement.
02
Constructed from nine modular wooden boxes enhancing versatility.
03
Inner dome design promotes a sense of serenity and focus.
04
Integrates bike racks for practical mobility support.
05
Utilizes a plug-in system for simple assembly and disassembly.

The Omega Reading Sphere is designed to enhance the experience of reading by creating a special environment. Located in a thoughtful setting that encourages both solitude and communal interaction, the design reimagines how individuals engage with literature. The aim is to create a private reading space that is both practical and versatile, suitable for different contexts and user preferences.

Structural Composition
The main feature is a wooden cube that contains a reading globe at its center. This cube is made up of nine wooden boxes. Each box has one side meant for public view and another side designed for private use. This flexibility allows the boxes to be arranged in various ways, whether clustered together or spread apart, adapting to the needs of users.

Spatial Dynamics
How the space works is central to the design. The way the boxes are arranged affects how people move through the area. This intended flow makes it easy for users to engage with both the reading environment and one another. The design encourages people to explore the space openly, making it suitable for both quiet reading and social interactions.

Material Use
Sustainability plays a key role in the choice of materials for the Omega Reading Sphere. The primary structure is built using wood, which provides strength and a natural warmth. Wooden panels and slabs are also used, contributing to a pleasing sensory experience. Metal pins are included as connectors, adding to the structure's stability.

The interior dome offers a calm and peaceful reading area. It effectively blocks out distractions from the outside, creating a focused atmosphere that encourages readers to dive into their books. This thoughtful design detail ensures that reading remains at the heart of the experience.

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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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