Foreword
Welcome to the highly anticipated online announcement of the winners of the Off the Grid 2023 Design Competition. Hosted by Archiol Competitions, this extraordinary event sought to explore the boundless possibilities of sustainability in residential architecture, with a specific focus on the concept of the "Tiny House" as an eco-friendly housing solution.
In a world where environmental concerns have taken center stage, architects have risen to the challenge, envisioning innovative designs that harmonize with nature and minimize our carbon footprint. The Off the Grid 2023 Design Competition provided a platform for architects from around the world to showcase their creativity and ingenuity, attracting a staggering 189 entries that reflect the global resonance of sustainable living.
This competition not only represents a celebration of architectural talent, but also serves as a reminder of the urgent need to rethink our approach to residential design. It encourages us to reconsider the way we inhabit our spaces and encourages the exploration of alternative housing solutions that minimize environmental impact while maximizing comfort and functionality.
The entries we received for this competition demonstrate a remarkable depth of imagination, an unwavering commitment to sustainability, and a deep understanding of the intricate relationship between architecture and our environment. Each design encapsulates the potential of tiny houses to be more than just a diminutive living space; they are visions of how sustainable residential architecture can revolutionize our lifestyles and inspire us to lead more harmonious lives with nature.
The designs spanned a broad spectrum, incorporating various materials, technologies, and spatial configurations to create eco-friendly dwellings that seamlessly integrate into their surroundings. The competition truly showcased the power of architecture to envision a future where sustainable living is not only possible but embraced as a way of life.
As we embark on this virtual journey to reveal the winners of the Off the Grid 2023 Design Competition, we invite you to join us in celebrating the remarkable achievements of these talented architects. Their visionary designs not only inspire us to rethink residential architecture but also offer tangible solutions to create a more sustainable and resilient future.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the participants who contributed their time, passion, and expertise to this competition. Your dedication to sustainable design has made a profound impact on our collective journey towards a greener and more harmonious world.
Now, without further ado, let us unveil the winners of the Off the Grid 2023 Design Competition, whose designs have demonstrated exceptional creativity, innovation, and a profound commitment to sustainable living.
Jury
Top 3
FIRST
Caio Simonetti
Brazil
SECOND
Kevin Cheung & David Hu
U.S.
THIRD
Ștefan Jurcă & Hlib Novosolov
Switzerland
FIRST PRIZE WINNER
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Bird House - Living Among the Wind
Caio Simonetti
Brazil
JURY COMMENTS
Very interesting scheme with strong design articulation. Some technical details are featured but I wish to see more structural ideas to be developed to support such scheme. The modular idea is commendable. Overall, a very strong scheme.
-Kar Him Mo
Your design is really cool and unique; I love the idea of a community clamped around trees - there's some interesting development that could happen here. Especially considering your geometry is very regular, this could be a really interesting manufacturing challenge.
-Lawrence Daykin
Very interesting idea. The concept, design, and presentation are all great. It's very impressed to use suspended modular structure, playing with wind.
-Xudong Zhu
SECOND PRIZE WINNER
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House OYS
Kevin Cheung & David Hu
U.S.
JURY COMMENTS
A very simple yet convincing scheme that is beautifully articulated. The scheme tries to create a micro-ecosystem that water and heat, the two important elements, are conserved. However, the presentation did not show clearly how the design is being conceived in response to its imaginary context, which perhaps is a very important factor shaping the form, system design and structural idea of the design.
-Kar Him Mo
very elegant design well displayed in your graphics.
A very simple proposal well executed.
-Lawrence Daykin
The design is straightforward but very logical and clear. The main space in the middle works pretty well in an ecosystem way and spatial way.
-Xudong Zhu
THIRD PRIZE WINNER
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Yoshimura House
Ștefan Jurcă & Hlib Novosolov
Switzerland
JURY COMMENTS
Interesting idea and design exploration, but the development is yet to be improved. The facade/skin is a critical element but it is not well articulated how such would work to provide thermal comfort, privacy and weather-proof.
-Kar Him Mo
Excellent use of Enscape, this showcases your design well however it also demonstrates that there is perhaps not enough circulation room?
Complex yet elegant shell design, some nice ideas that could developed well.
-Lawrence Daykin
The façade is very interesting and in-between space is impressive.
-Xudong Zhu
SPECIAL MENTION
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JURY COMMENTS
Honorable Mention
Kongphat Phaiboonnukulki
Thailand
Rani Wehbe & Mustapha El Moussaoui
Germany
Linda My Huynh, Robert terHorst, Samson Yan & Taylor Lapierre-Grignon
Canada
HONOURABLE MENTION
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Träskapö
Kongphat Phaiboonnukulki
Thailand
JURY COMMENTS
Overall a very interesting scheme and design articulation and intention are well presented. The design is convincing and it shows careful understanding of the context. However, the presentation didn't show clearly some critical details, like thermal insolation, fabrication of the construction elements/parts, which might leave questions to its audience.
-Kar Him Mo
I really liked that you decided to focus on a community off grid - I would like to see how more elements of this community function.
Nice use of graphics, however your design unfortunately looks a bit like army barracks, which makes it feel less like off grid community and more like apocalypse survivors.
-Lawrence Daykin
The design is very flexible but the space quality need to be improved. Construction phase is clear and very effective.
-Xudong Zhu
HONOURABLE MENTION
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Equinox House
Rani Wehbe & Mustapha El Moussaoui
Germany
JURY COMMENTS
The idea is strong with good design articulation. It responses well the competition theme - off the grid. The presentation shows clearly how the design is being conceived. Overall, a very strong entry.
-Kar Him Mo
Nice design and I like the idea of the equinox being an influence on design choice - i understand the use of large glass panels in this design but it feels a bit obvious and perhaps not super sustainable / bespoke - maybe you could play more with the passing of the light through the wooden slats to create a beautiful environment which changes throughout the year.
-Lawrence Daykin
The design is well considered. Interior renderings are very impressive.
-Xudong Zhu
HONOURABLE MENTION
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Metamorphic Cabin
Linda My Huynh, Robert terHorst, Samson Yan & Taylor Lapierre-Grignon
Canada
JURY COMMENTS
Convincing idea and design, but lack originality.
-Kar Him Mo
Some nice features within your design - I particularly like the sunken table.
However, your solar panel unit totally distracts from the design - this could have been more elegantly integrated, especially considering your sun studies.
The sketches within your description are great and are clearly something you are skilled at - let them shine through in your presentation.
-Lawrence Daykin
The strategy of transformative spaces works pretty well in this case. The presentation and graphic is very clear.
-Xudong Zhu
HONOURABLE MENTION
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JURY COMMENTS
HONOURABLE MENTION
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JURY COMMENTS
Shortlisted Entries
• Hut of Tea
Yuming Yang, Zihe Wei & Zhiquan Jiang
China
Jury Code: 1019
Participation Code: 0301_CH_YUY
Interesting association with the Chinese culture and myth, but lack design development. Good presentation thou in some rendering images.
-Kar Him Mo
Really nice concept articulated well - lovely use of photomontage.
However, your strong conceptual route did not feel very well represented in your design, which is very regular and of a traditional nature - how could you bring some poetry into the design itself?
-Lawrence Daykin
The presentation is clear and elegant. It's very interesting to think about a living space for tea-planters.
-Xudong Zhu
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• The Nook
Vignesh Murugan & karthick palaniyandi
India
Jury Code: 1029
Participation Code: 1902_IN_VIM
The idea is confusing and not well articulated. I see some interesting ideas but the presentation doesn't show clearly how the applicant arrived to such stage - design development is not well shown in his/her presentation/idea.
-Kar Him Mo
Your design is graphically fantastic - i really like the forms and choice of colour - i would like to see this developed out further - it looks like a design that may be easily deployable in flooding zones for example?
It does look as though you have placed it close to a settlement however which strikes a heavy contrast and isn’t particularly "off grid"
-Lawrence Daykin
Structure and form has a good relationship. The design itself is very flexible.
-Xudong Zhu
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• Shiokaze House
Ana Juárez & Abel Campo
Panama
Jury Code: 1018
Participation Code: 1703_PA_ANJ
Interesting idea but very bad Design and presentation
-Kar Him Mo
Mount Fuji makes a nice silhouette for your house - this is represented nicely in your graphics.
I particularly like that you have defined some construction techniques for certain details, and these are documented well.
The inclusion of an iMac in the renders perhaps doesn’t feel very "off grid" ;)
-Lawrence Daykin
The design is very detailed and comprehensive but not innovative. Need to have more interesting moment and new idea in the project.
-Xudong Zhu
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• Xumpurno
Charlina Dutta & Riki Talukdar
India
Jury Code: 1022
Participation Code: 2102_IN_CLD
Interesting adaptation of the traditional typology but lack design development. No description found. Good try to explore video as a means of presentation but too commercial oriented.
-Kar Him Mo
Some nice graphics and nice use of 3D walkthrough but not a particularly original idea.
It was unfortunate to see a large TV on the wall of the space - not very "off grid" - also I am not sure your stairs are of a super safe / functional dimension ;)
-Lawrence Daykin
The project is well developed, but need to have more exciting moments.
-Xudong Zhu
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• Bridging Unit
Wenxin Li
China
Jury Code: 1049
Participation Code: 0102_US_TID
A really unique design with a good inspiration point - i really like that this could span a gap like a bridge although your development is slightly too complex and means that you lose your unique concept in the details of how it works - I would like to see this developed in a simpler manner - perhaps it doesn’t need to be able to move and travel but just adapts itself to a singular site and folds out across it?
-Lawrence Daykin
The idea is very innovative and bold. The structure and different components are convinced. Very interesting project and exciting presentation.
-Xudong Zhu
Organizers
