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Acrylic Facade and Bioreactor System in a Sustainable Micro Home

Author:
Alzahra Ali
Acrylic Facade and Bioreactor System in a Sustainable Micro Home
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With a colorful acrylic façade and an integrated bioreactor system, this sustainable micro home in the southern Mediterranean promotes ecological living while providing versatile indoor and outdoor spaces for its residents.
5 key facts about this project
01
Colored acrylic panels create a dynamic and customizable facade.
02
An integrated bioreactor system treats black water on-site.
03
The flat rooftop garden is accessible via a folding ladder.
04
Greywater recycling is utilized for irrigation of non-food plants.
05
The design allows for flexible indoor and outdoor living spaces.

The design is located in the southern Mediterranean region, reflecting a strong connection to the local culture through its unique approach to color, modularity, and sustainability. Designed as a Micro Home, it combines vibrant aesthetics with practical living solutions. The building showcases an inviting façade and a warm interior, enriching the experience of its inhabitants while respecting the surrounding environment.

Design Inspiration
Influenced by Bohemian styles prevalent in the Mediterranean, the project employs a lively color palette throughout its exterior and interior spaces. This choice not only enhances the building’s visual appeal but creates a strong link to the regional identity and culture. The underlying square layout promotes efficient use of space, ensuring that all areas are thoughtfully designed to provide comfort and functionality.

Landscape Integration
The project emphasizes the importance of green spaces at ground level. Elevated elements incorporate manmade materials, preserving the natural environment. This approach balances the built structure with nature, highlighting a commitment to ecological sensitivity. The flat roof serves multiple purposes, being cost-effective and functional while hosting a rooftop garden accessible from the living room with a folding ladder. This design encourages outdoor living, bringing nature closer to the daily routines of its residents.

Sustainable Features
A focus on sustainability is evident throughout, with systems in place for energy, water, and waste management. Photovoltaic panels mounted on the roof provide renewable energy, allowing for a self-sufficient lifestyle. Greywater is reused for irrigation, and a bioreactor manages black water treatment, demonstrating innovative thinking in resource management. Rainwater collection systems enhance efficiency by storing water for dry periods, further integrating sustainability into the living experience.

Spatial Efficiency
Covering a total area of 24.75 square meters, the layout ensures efficient movement between public, service, and private spaces. This thoughtful arrangement optimizes functionality while maintaining a comfortable flow throughout the home. Key design elements include sliding doors in the living and bedroom areas, allowing for flexible use of the space, and an adaptable façade featuring colored acrylic panels that can be adjusted to create varied visual effects.

The overall design reflects a careful balance of color and form, supported by practical solutions that prioritize sustainability and everyday living needs.

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Enter an open architecture
competition now

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MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026

The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
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