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 Shingles and Cross-Laminated Panels Create a Tranquil Living Space Integrated with Nature

Charred Wood Shingles and Cross-Laminated Panels Create a Tranquil Living Space Integrated with Nature
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Charred wood shingles and cross-laminated timber panels form a tranquil sanctuary seamlessly integrated into the landscape, offering a functional retreat that prioritizes natural light and outdoor connectivity.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles enhance fire resistance while providing a distinctive aesthetic.
02
Cross-laminated timber panels contribute to rapid construction and structural stability.
03
The bent A-frame design maximizes interior space while reducing material usage.
04
Integrated vertical gardens promote biodiversity and improve indoor air quality.
05
Strategic skylights optimize natural light throughout the living areas.

## Overview

The Spirit Home project is situated in a serene landscape designed to integrate living spaces with the natural environment. This contemporary architectural design addresses the growing demand for tranquil and restorative habitats, reflecting a concept that emphasizes a harmonious relationship between residents and nature. The intent is to create a sanctuary that facilitates mindfulness and moments of reflection in everyday living.

## Spatial Strategy

The layout of the Spirit Home is thoughtfully arranged to enable specific activities while maintaining a strong connection to the outdoors. The strategic site plan allows for scenic views and natural cooling through a central water feature. An outdoor terrace further enhances interaction with the landscape, cultivating an immersive experience in nature. The open floor plan connects the living, kitchen, and dining areas, while bedrooms are positioned to provide privacy and comfort. Moreover, the design incorporates high ceilings, skylights, and expansive windows, maximizing natural light and ventilation throughout the home.

## Materiality and Sustainability

The project's material selection reinforces its commitment to environmental harmony. Stone is used for durable walls that resonate with the landscape, while wood adds warmth and continuity to structural elements and finishes. Large glass openings create visual transparency and facilitate light penetration, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor environments. Additionally, water features are integrated not only for aesthetics but also as sustainable elements that promote biodiversity and contribute to ecological balance within the design. This conscious choice of materials underscores a biophilic approach, enhancing the occupants' connection to the living world and supporting their mental well-being.

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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

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

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

Recurring architecture competitions

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
new
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
Early bird registration deadline 2 October 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
Advance registration deadline 9 October 2025
new
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
Early bird registration deadline 15 October 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 16 October 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
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
Concrete 
Pavilion

Design a concrete pavilion

Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 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

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