MICROHOME

Nomad is a proposal for microhousing designed for seasonal agricultural workers in Turkey, where workers often shelter in tents on rural sites which are, according to the designer, unsafe, unhealthy and open to environmental threats. Nomad makes use of plywood, pine and polycarbonate to offer a two-unit customizable prototype that is part design and part administrative, recommending that the government impose less taxes on employers who provide such housing to workers. The jury writes: “The proposal addresses a social problem with a smart sustainable approach. This plan is very relevant and necessary with so many agricultural workers currently having poor living conditions. The excellent diagrams take into consideration environmental issues of energy and water collection in areas where this might otherwise not be available. The proposal has the potential to solve a real problem - seasonal workers' housing which really requires a compact, tiny and affordable solution. It opens up a discussion to utilize and functionalize the tiny house dream,  to offer micro solutions that extend beyond a typical housing prototype or leisure space.”

The Solar Glass House is a free space occupied by punctual, diverse, routine or unexpected uses. It uses a passive solar principle - the Trombe process - combining the greenhouse effect with thermal inertia to reduce energy needs. It also proposes solutions for natural ventilation, use of photovoltaics, and a solar water heater. The jury writes: “The proposal is simple, elegant, and relatively easy to construct. The conceptual approach is strong and original. The overall narrative, graphics and spaces are powerful and inspiring - the project steps away from the typical microhome concept of modular, starting-from-scratch solutions to open up a discussion about how microhome can be merged with existing structures. Though a great idea to make use of thermal mass, this glass house would not apply to colder climates.”

Urban Shelter is designed to be a compressible and easy-to-transport home for a city’s underutilized spaces. The prefabricated ‘infill’ microhome is divided into three parts: a living space, a pocket space, and an MEP space. It is wrapped in a shell with a plastic interior lining and exterior stainless steel, with a gap at the center for moisture collection that serves the unit’s equipment. According to the jury: “In many cities there are several locations where these urban shelters could be placed, and would provide for needed housing in close proximity with urban downtowns.” The jury commends the clear and well-labeled diagrams which explain well the intended systems and design.