Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Bamboo Framed Habitat Utilizing Straw Bale Insulation in Harmonious Mountain Landscape

Authors:
Peter Doerr, Kerstin Kornelsen, Johannes Flamm, Valerie Topalov
Bamboo Framed Habitat Utilizing Straw Bale Insulation in Harmonious Mountain Landscape

Project in-detail

Bamboo framing combined with straw bale insulation creates a naturally integrated structure that efficiently addresses the challenges of high-altitude living, serving as a functional residential space in the Himalayan environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Bamboo framing provides structural support while promoting rapid growth sustainability.
02
Straw bale insulation enhances thermal efficiency suited for extreme weather.
03
Natural ventilation methods maximize airflow without mechanical systems.
04
Local stone integrates the building with its mountainous environment.
05
Modular design allows for easy assembly and adaptability to site conditions.

### Project Overview
Located in the Himalayan region, the design seeks to create self-sufficient and portable structures that blend local traditions with contemporary needs. The primary focus is on sustainability through the effective use of local resources and adaptable design strategies, ensuring a strong connection to the environment and cultural context.

### Material Strategy
The project prioritizes the use of locally sourced materials to enhance both functionality and environmental sustainability. Key components include:

- **Straw Bale**: Utilized for insulation and structure, improving thermal efficiency.
- **Palm Fiber**: Incorporated in filtration systems and various applications.
- **Local Timber**: Used for structural frames, contributing to aesthetic and functional qualities.
- **Bamboo**: Serves as a rapidly renewable resource for scaffolding and frameworks.
- **Recycled Materials**: Integrated throughout to promote ecological responsibility.
- **Local Stones**: Employed in foundations and integrated into the landscape's aesthetics.
- **Solar Panels**: Incorporated for energy generation, reflecting a commitment to renewable resources.

The combination of these materials not only respects local building practices but also optimizes performance in the region's unique climatic conditions.

### Design and Functionality
The layout is organized to accommodate communal and private spaces effectively, fostering social interaction while ensuring privacy. Considerations of natural light and thermal performance are central to the functional design:

1. **Plan Organization**: Spaces are configured to promote social interaction while maintaining individual privacy.
2. **Natural Lighting**: Large openings and strategically placed windows enhance natural light, reducing the need for artificial illumination.
3. **Thermal Performance**: Principles of passive solar heating and natural ventilation are employed, leveraging the high thermal mass of local materials like stone and straw.

The modular design enables easy transport, complementing traditional practices using local transport methods while facilitating assembly and disassembly in response to varying environmental conditions. Additionally, innovative features like water filtration systems using layered materials and energy recovery methods through waste repurposing further highlight the project's commitment to sustainability and resource efficiency.

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

`

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