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Wooden Frame Structure Creating Spaces for Introspection and Community

Authors:
Giulia Tarei, Marta Martini
Wooden Frame Structure Creating Spaces for Introspection and Community

Project in-detail

A wooden frame structure designed to create inviting spaces for introspection and community engagement emphasizes sustainability through its thoughtful integration of natural materials and light.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with a bent A-frame design to enhance natural light penetration.
02
Integrates cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and sustainability.
03
Employs charred wooden shingles for weather resistance and aesthetic appeal.
04
Designed to foster community engagement through intentional spatial arrangements.
05
Emphasizes introspection through carefully planned views and light interplay.

The design project reflects a thoughtful exploration of personal empowerment through light. Set in a context that values introspection and well-being, the design serves as a communal space aimed at promoting self-sufficiency. The lamp, as a central element, symbolizes the illumination of knowledge and inner strength, inviting occupants to interact meaningfully with their environment.

Conceptual Framework

The core idea integrates essential themes like sustainability, green energy, and personal well-being. These themes go beyond aesthetics, highlighting the importance of creating healthy living environments. The design encourages occupants to develop a sense of security and independence, aligning with modern values of mindfulness and responsibility toward the environment.

Structural Details

A key structural element, designed as a lamp, measures 700 cm in diameter and 340 cm in height. This size creates a strong visual presence, making it both a focal point and a functional space. The way light plays through this structure enhances user experience, fostering a dynamic atmosphere that encourages reflection and engagement.

Material Considerations

The project carefully selects materials that support its sustainability goals. It features a wooden roof, a wooden frame with windows and panels, prefabricated beams, wooden slabs, and a wooden chassis. This choice not only gives a distinctive character to the design but also shows a commitment to using renewable resources, enhancing durability while being environmentally conscious.

Design Inspiration

The design also draws from innovative housing concepts, such as the Wikkelhouse, Triangular House, and Marika Alderton House. These references position the structure within a wider architectural context, demonstrating an engagement with contemporary styles. This approach ensures the design remains practical while adapting to current trends in living spaces.

The careful integration of structural elements and the meaningful use of materials highlight light as a guiding principle. This results in an environment that adapts to the needs of its users, promoting both growth and reflection in a variety of ways.

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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

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