The Bridging Home

Introducing 'BRIDGING HOME' - our entry for the Kingspan Microhome Competition 2024. Working with Andrew Wardrope and Luke Macnab we developed a concept for an entirely off-grid modular home under 25 Sqm. Alongside the primary brief (a home for a young couple) it attempts to solve bigger social and environmental issues. We chose to address the increasing problem of pollution in UK rivers - the scheme becomes a base for research and community outreach, aiming to raise awareness of poor river quality, loss of habit and collect data on behalf of the UK River Trust - building a platform to lobby local and national government. Through a collaboration with local authorities, a new bridge is provided for the scheme in an area where a river causes a problematic divide between communities and local amenities. After the research has been undertaken, the scheme moves to another site, with the bridge remaining as a legacy project. Although our entry wasn't amongst the winners, it was fun little project and broadened our understanding of off-grid strategies as well as the increasing challenges facing our river habitats.

Following the competition, one of our drawings was transformed into a timber etching and submitted for the RWA Open Exhibition. The etching depicts a detailed section through the scheme, capturing key 1:5 details as well as celebrating the life and activity of the occupants within