Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Charred Wood Cladding and Solar Efficiency in a Compact Coastal Home

Charred Wood Cladding and Solar Efficiency in a Compact Coastal Home
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Integrating charred wood cladding and extensive solar panels, this compact Northumberland home exemplifies sustainable living while maintaining a strong connection to its coastal environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates charred wood cladding for improved durability and aesthetic appeal.
02
Utilizes cross-laminated timber panels for enhanced structural strength and insulation.
03
Employs a bent A-frame design to optimize natural light and ventilation.
04
Features an off-grid solar power system for complete energy independence.
05
Incorporates rainwater and greywater systems for sustainable resource management.

### Architectural Design Report: XS Microhome 2024

#### Overview

The XS Microhome 2024 is situated within the rugged coastal landscape of Northumberland, encompassing a compact footprint of 25 m². This modular unit addresses contemporary housing challenges through a design that emphasizes spatial efficiency and adaptability. The architecture prioritizes sustainable living while fostering a sense of community, providing a suitable model for individuals and families aspiring to embrace minimalism without compromising functional modernity.

#### Exterior and Interior Composition

The exterior features a contemporary facade characterized by clean lines and a minimalist palette, highlighted by floor-to-ceiling glass panels that facilitate interaction with the surrounding landscape. Circular windows not only serve as visual focal points, but they also enhance the interior with ample natural light. The contrast between the sleek black cladding and the natural terrain underscores the design’s intent to harmonize with its environment.

Internally, the XS Microhome optimizes space with an open-plan layout that promotes fluid movement among living, dining, and kitchen areas. Wood finishes throughout create a warm atmosphere, while flexible spatial arrangements cater to the diverse needs of residents, whether for work or social gatherings. The design balances functionality with comfort, ensuring relevance in evolving lifestyles.

#### Sustainable and Technological Elements

Sustainable materials play a pivotal role in the XS Microhome's construction. The primary exterior cladding utilizes corrosion-resistant zinc-coated metal sheeting, complemented by lightweight aluminum framing for windows and structural elements. Interior wood finishes enhance aesthetic appeal and thermal comfort, while innovative insulation technologies improve energy efficiency and meet contemporary standards. High-performance glazing maximizes natural light while enhancing thermal performance.

Equipped with advanced technologies, the microhome supports a self-sufficient lifestyle. Key features include five solar panels generating renewable energy, a lithium battery storage system for independent energy use, and a rainwater harvesting system that promotes sustainable water management. Additionally, a greywater recycling system contributes to efficient resource conservation, underscoring the commitment to sustainability central to the design.

The flexibility of the design allows for modular configurations, enabling multiple units to be combined in communal settings. This adaptability addresses various living arrangements, making the XS Microhome a viable solution for modern housing needs in diverse contexts.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

`
Competition organisers

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 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
new
The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025
new
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 November 2025
Concrete 
Pavilion

Design a concrete pavilion

Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
new
Pavilion Atlas 2026

Design a story of your country

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 21 January 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025
new
The Home of 
Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility OPEN TO ALL
Early bird registration deadline 5 November 2025
The Last 
Nuclear Bomb Memorial

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Edition #6 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 13 November 2025
new
The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 20 November 2025
Hospice - 
Home for the 
Terminally ill

Design a safe and supportive space to those struggling with a terminal illness

Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 10,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 26 November 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 26 November 2025
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #7 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
Re:Form - 
New Life 
for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

Edition #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 3 December 2025
The Architect’s 
Stair

Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 15 January 2026

Media, partners and clients

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