MICROHOME's 25 sqm area limitation

For the MICROHOME competition, the 25 square meter requirement refers to the total footprint of the house, which includes multiple aspects of its design:


1. Total Floor Area: The 25 square meters limit encompasses the total floor area of the house. This means if your house has more than one level or floor, the combined area of all these floors must not exceed 25 square meters.


2. Outer Walls: The thickness of the outer walls is included in the calculation of the 25 square meters. This is important because it affects the interior usable space. The more space the walls occupy, the less room there is inside for living areas.


3. Multiple Floors: If your design has multiple floors, the footprint is calculated by adding up the area of each floor. For example, if you have two stories, each level needs to be no more than 12.5 square meters to stay within the limit, assuming both floors cover the same area.


4. Overhanging Roofs: If your house has parts of the roof sticking out beyond the walls, these overhanging areas need to be counted in the 25 square meters if they're a fixed and essential part of your house's structure. Imagine if you could see your house from above and draw a line all around it—that includes these overhangs. The space that this outline covers on the ground should be added up to make sure it doesn't go over 25 square meters.


5. Elevated Houses: For houses raised above the ground (on stilts, for example), the area underneath the house does not count towards the 25 square meters unless it's enclosed and usable as part of the house. The footprint is determined by the space the house occupies on the ground.


6. External Structures: Non-essential external structures, like detached terraces or outdoor canopies, are not included in the 25 square meters. However, any structure that is enclosed and attached to the house (thus extending the usable indoor area) must be included in the total area calculation.


In essence, the 25 square meter limit is a comprehensive measure that includes all parts of the house that create enclosed, usable space. It encourages efficient use of space and creative design solutions to fit living necessities within a compact area, considering the inclusion of walls, multi-level designs, and the overall footprint on the ground.


The MICROHOME competition is an exciting platform for architects, designers, and visionaries to push the boundaries of sustainable and compact living. Within a meticulously defined limit of 25 square meters, participants are challenged to create innovative, off-grid micro homes that blend functionality, aesthetics, and environmental sensitivity. This competition not only tests your ability to design within constraints but also offers the opportunity to contribute to the evolving narrative of minimalistic, eco-friendly living spaces. 


Register for the MICROHOME competition today microhome.info