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Bamboo Structures and Vertical Gardens Enhance Sustainable Micro Homes for Refugee Communities

Bamboo Structures and Vertical Gardens Enhance Sustainable Micro Homes for Refugee Communities
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Constructed with bamboo and reinforced by vertical gardens, these micro homes create a resilient living environment that integrates sustainable practices while addressing the urgent housing needs of displaced communities.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes bamboo as the primary structural material, promoting local resources and cultural significance.
02
Incorporates vertical gardens to enhance biodiversity and provide food sources within the housing complex.
03
Features water collection systems integrated into the rooftop designs for sustainable resource management.
04
Emphasizes communal living through interconnected micro homes, fostering social interaction among residents.
05
Designed to facilitate adaptability, allowing for future modifications based on community needs.

### Project Overview
The "Tale of Rooting Community" initiative addresses the housing needs of the Rohingya communities in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, amid ongoing environmental challenges and a humanitarian crisis. The project seeks to blend sustainable living with community resilience and reforestation efforts, creating a living environment that fosters both individual shelter and a collective identity tied to the surrounding landscape.

### Spatial Organization and Community Engagement
The design incorporates a layout of micro homes arranged to encourage social interaction while ensuring personal privacy. This configuration enhances communal living, where shared pathways and communal spaces foster connections among residents and support collective activities, such as community gardening. The integration of living spaces with agricultural zones blurs the lines between domestic life and nature, facilitating a harmonious relationship with the environment.

### Materiality and Sustainability
Constructed primarily from locally sourced bamboo, Kingspan flat cassettes, and recycled materials, the homes reflect cultural heritage while ensuring functional durability and comfort. Bamboo serves both structural and aesthetic purposes, contributing to the welcoming atmosphere. Sustainability is prioritized through features such as roof gardens and vertical planting systems for rainwater capture, as well as the installation of solar panels to enhance energy independence. Local textiles enrich interiors, reinforcing cultural relevance and creating a sense of warmth.

This holistic approach not only addresses immediate housing needs but also lays the groundwork for sustainable practices essential for the long-term resilience and self-sufficiency of the Rohingya community.

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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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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 €
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Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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