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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

Project in-detail

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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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Enter an open architecture
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