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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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