Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

An Urban Community Hub with Modular Wood and Integrated Green Roofs

Author:
Menno Joop Johan Smit
An Urban Community Hub with Modular Wood and Integrated Green Roofs

Project in-detail

Constructed with modular cross-laminated timber panels and green roof systems, the design establishes a contemporary urban hub that supports intergenerational living and promotes social cohesion.
5 key facts about this project
01
Located in a vibrant city center, integrating living, sports, social, and recreational spaces.
02
Features a zigzag layout to balance communal and private spaces.
03
Incorporates private gardens for each housing unit and a communal center.
04
Utilizes wood and large glass openings, with concrete for structural integrity.
05
Includes a sustainable grid system and landscaping for energy efficiency and biodiversity.

Situated within a dense urban context, The Pyramid combines residential, recreational, and communal functions to encourage interaction across age groups, with a particular emphasis on senior living. The program includes private dwellings, shared amenities, and outdoor spaces, fostering inclusivity and accommodating a range of physical and social needs.

Spatial Configuration and Community Integration

A zigzag plan defines the overall layout, organizing the complex into alternating public and private zones. Each housing unit includes direct access to a private garden, offering residents personal outdoor space while promoting active lifestyles. At the center of the complex, shared facilities including meeting rooms, fitness areas, and leisure zones serve as anchors for community life. Open interior layouts enhance mobility and accessibility, especially for elderly users, and support flexibility in daily use.

Material Strategy and Environmental Approach

Cross-laminated timber is employed for its structural performance and low environmental impact, contributing to a warm interior character. Glass elements maximize daylight and preserve visual continuity with outdoor areas. Concrete components provide structural stability while supporting long-term durability. Integrated green roofs and a modular sustainability grid address energy performance targets and local biodiversity, reinforcing the project's commitment to environmentally responsive design.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

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

`
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
competition now

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy