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 Structure With Stone Thermal Mass Enhances Community Living In The Himalayas

Authors:
Alex Borrell, Jack Lewandowski, Julian Besems, Tom Badger
Bamboo Structure With Stone Thermal Mass Enhances Community Living In The Himalayas

Project in-detail

Constructed primarily from bamboo and stone, this modular design adapts to the harsh Himalayan environment while fostering community interaction and providing essential living spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed primarily from locally sourced bamboo to ensure sustainability and rapid growth.
02
Utilizes stone as thermal mass for temperature regulation in the mountainous climate.
03
Designed with modular units that allow for dynamic expansion based on community needs.
04
Incorporates cross-bracing techniques to enhance structural integrity against environmental stresses.
05
Features flexible space configurations that promote both communal and private interactions.

### Overview

Located in a mountainous area of the Himalayan region, "The New Vernacular" is an architectural response that integrates traditional building techniques with contemporary socio-economic and cultural considerations. The intent is to establish a multi-functional space that fosters community engagement and sustainable practices while adapting to the unique environmental conditions of its locale. The design emphasizes local resources and cultural context, aiming for a robust and functional structure that meets both ecological and social needs.

### Material Utilization and Structural Adaptability

The project employs a modular building system inspired by local practices and materials, prioritizing bamboo, stone, and wood for their unique properties. Bamboo serves as the primary structural component due to its lightweight and durable characteristics, echoing traditional construction methods. Stone is integrated to provide thermal mass, enhancing the building's resilience and stability, while wood is used in framing to add warmth to interior spaces. Each module, referred to as "Doko", features a cross-braced configuration that allows for rapid on-site assembly and ease of transport, an essential feature given the logistical challenges of the remote location.

### Spatial Strategy and Community Engagement

The spatial arrangement promotes both public and private activities, with communal areas such as a kitchen and dining area on the ground floor designed to facilitate social interaction. The first floor accommodates sleeping quarters, ensuring functional separation of spaces. Careful consideration is given to building orientation and window placements to optimize natural light and thermal performance, thereby minimizing energy consumption. The project highlights cultural integration by incorporating community involvement in both material sourcing and construction, strengthening local craftsmanship and supporting regional economies. The adaptable layout enables the building to evolve according to community needs, allowing for future growth and transformation.

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