Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Biophilic Facade with Steel Mesh and Clear Solar Panels for Eco Retreat

Authors:
Tunli Pang, Man-hin Ma
Biophilic Facade with Steel Mesh and Clear Solar Panels for Eco Retreat

Project in-detail

A biophilic facade constructed from steel mesh and equipped with clear solar panels creates a harmonious connection between the retreat and its natural surroundings, supporting wellness and community engagement through its multifunctional spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
The retreat utilizes steel mesh to support plant growth, creating a living facade.
02
Clear glass solar panels are integrated into the design for energy efficiency.
03
The elongated corridor symbolically represents seasonal changes throughout the year.
04
Dedicated areas for tea harvesting optimize the processing of local produce.
05
Flexibility in space design accommodates both social gatherings and personal reflection.

N(A/UR)TURE: A Sustainable Eco Retreat is designed to offer an escape from city life, helping individuals reconnect with nature. Set in a peaceful landscape, the retreat promotes well-being while embracing sustainable practices. The design focuses on creating spaces that encourage both personal reflection and community interactions, making the environment a central element of the experience.

Spatial Organization
The layout includes several distinct areas, each serving a specific function. There is a retreat space that welcomes visitors with a back entrance leading to a hearth, providing warmth and comfort. The social area promotes community activities, such as cooking and sharing meals made from locally harvested produce and tea leaves. A multifunctional studio offers flexibility for activities, including tea-making and yoga, while the harvesting room is designed for drying tea leaves in a suitable, well-ventilated environment.

Corridor Experience
A prominent corridor runs through the building, representing the changing seasons. This pathway enhances movement and provides opportunities for visual connections to the surrounding landscape. As one walks through, the corridor encourages exploration and moments of pause, allowing visitors to appreciate the natural elements that define the retreat.

Materiality
Material choices in the design reflect a commitment to sustainability. Clear glass solar panels are used for energy collection, minimizing the building's environmental impact. Steel mesh features prominently, serving both structural and aesthetic purposes. It allows plants and vines to grow, creating a living facade that changes over time, contributing to the building's unique character.

The interaction between the natural environment and the architectural design is evident throughout. Vines and greenery on the mesh surfaces enhance the living facade, providing a dynamic layer that responds to the seasons. This focus on nature fosters a deep connection between occupants and their surroundings, creating an inviting atmosphere and encouraging a meaningful experience within the retreat.

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
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
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