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Zero Mass Water Panels and SIP Construction in a Compact Micro-Home

Authors:
Joey Aoun, Milena Stojkovic
Zero Mass Water Panels and SIP Construction in a Compact Micro-Home

Project in-detail

Incorporating Zero Mass water panels and Structural Insulated Panels, this compact micro-home provides a sustainable living solution tailored for urban settings, addressing the housing needs of young professionals and the elderly.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates Zero Mass water panels for efficient humidity capture.
02
Designed with Structural Insulated Panels for enhanced thermal performance.
03
Transforms easily from a single space to designated functional areas.
04
Includes a multifunctional garden wall for outdoor storage and utility.
05
Strategically positioned to support intergenerational living arrangements.

Set within the urban landscape of London, the micro-home project addresses important housing challenges faced by young professionals and elderly citizens. It offers a practical living solution that fits well into existing residential areas while focusing on sustainability and affordability. The design centers around flexibility, allowing spaces to adapt to the needs of the occupant, making it particularly suited for today's urban environment.

Adaptability

The micro-home is designed as a modular unit that can be transported easily in a cube container. This flexibility allows it to be placed in residential gardens, promoting intergenerational living. By doing this, the design supports both independence and close connections among family members. The layout is efficient, ensuring comfort without sacrificing important features.

Sustainability Features

The design aims for net-zero energy use by 2025. It uses a 3.8 kW photovoltaic system to meet seasonal energy needs, paired with two photovoltaic-thermal panels that produce both electricity and hot water. Sustainable water management is also a focus; Zero Mass Water Panels capture humidity for drinking water, while a rainwater collection system and greywater reuse add to the environmental benefits.

Functional Layout

The layout prioritizes functionality and comfort in a compact form. Open living spaces give residents the freedom to arrange their homes as they see fit. A standout feature is the transformable bathroom, which can serve multiple functions, making the most of the available space. Additionally, the garden wall serves as a practical storage solution for bicycles and gardening tools, enhancing the interaction between the home and outdoor environment.

Technological Integration

Smart technology plays an important role in this design, with a home hub and visual analytics dashboard included to help monitor energy use and environmental conditions. This integration allows residents to manage their living spaces more effectively.

The use of Structural Insulated Panels helps maintain thermal performance while reducing the overall carbon footprint. Such careful choices reinforce a commitment to sustainable living in the urban setting of London, highlighting how thoughtful design can create practical solutions for modern challenges.

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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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