Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Butterfly Form Housing Constructed with QuadCore Panels and Jute Insulation

Author:
Raf Jan M Janssens
Butterfly Form Housing Constructed with QuadCore Panels and Jute Insulation

Project in-detail

Constructed with QuadCore panels and Jute insulation, this butterfly-shaped dwelling emphasizes sustainable living through its adaptable design and natural ventilation, serving as a compact and efficient mini home.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with QuadCore panels for superior insulation and durability.
02
Incorporates Jute insulation, enhancing sustainability through natural materials.
03
Features a butterfly shape that optimizes natural light and ventilation.
04
Utilizes a flexible layout for multifunctional living spaces.
05
Integrates a biological water treatment system for eco-friendly wastewater management.

## Overview

Located in an adaptable environment, the Free Butterfly is a 25 m² mini home designed to exemplify sustainable living. The project emphasizes a minimalist lifestyle that retains maximum comfort, utilizing a unique architectural form to reflect ecological consciousness. Its design adapts to both urban and rural contexts and encourages a lifestyle centered around simplicity and mindful living.

## Spatial Strategy

The interior layout is centralized around multifunctionality, featuring a combined kitchen, dining area, and flexible living space. This approach allows residents to optimize the use of space through elements like a folding bed and movable kitchen walls, supporting versatile living arrangements. The building’s angular roof design enhances natural ventilation and promotes effective rainwater management, channeling runoff into on-site storage systems. Large windows merge interior spaces with the surrounding environment, maximizing natural light and reinforcing the indoor-outdoor living experience.

## Material Selection

Sustainable material choices are pivotal to the project’s integrity. The facade incorporates QuadCore Coldstore CS Flat Panels from Kingspan for enhanced energy efficiency, complemented by Hemkor Jute Insulation, which offers strong thermal performance. Structural stability is achieved through the use of lightweight aluminum profiles and wooden support elements, balancing durability with aesthetic warmth. Additionally, the roofing system employs Kingspan SRW Sinusoidal Panels, which facilitate effective drainage while promoting sustainable practices. Interior finishes, including solid surface materials and perforated plywood, provide both comfort and visual appeal, ensuring a harmonious atmosphere throughout the home.

Equipped with advanced energy management systems, the Free Butterfly harnesses solar energy and features a vehicle-to-load (V2L) setup that allows for efficient energy transfer between the home and electric vehicles. A biological water treatment system further enhances the sustainability of the design, addressing wastewater management responsibly while an integrated air exchange system ensures indoor air quality and minimizes energy consumption.

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