Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Circular Terracing with Local Stone and Earth Roofing for Sustainable Community Living

Author:
Pablo Landeo Mochcco
Circular Terracing with Local Stone and Earth Roofing for Sustainable Community Living

Project in-detail

Incorporating circular terracing with local stone and earth roofing, this settlement design prioritizes efficient water management and community agriculture in the Peruvian highlands.
5 key facts about this project
01
Designed to enhance water collection through terraced landscapes, utilizing natural gravity flow.
02
Constructed using local stone and earth, promoting climate resilience and thermal efficiency.
03
Features integrated agricultural practices, allowing for self-sufficiency within the community.
04
Incorporates permeable paving to enhance groundwater recharge and manage rainwater runoff.
05
The layout emphasizes community interaction, placing shared resources at the center of the design.

### Overview

"Descendants of Water" is situated in the highland valleys of Peru and aims to address the critical issue of water scarcity through a thoughtfully conceived settlement design tailored to the region's geographic and climatic conditions. The project focuses on establishing sustainable living environments that engage local communities and promote water conservation alongside agricultural practices.

### Layout and Spatial Organization

The design features a series of concentric terraces, which facilitate both agricultural space and effective water management by capturing rainwater and surface runoff. The central water body functions as a reservoir and community focal point, underscoring the cultural significance of water. Residential structures are interspersed within these terraces, constructed from local materials to ensure compatibility with the landscape. The project also incorporates a network of pathways that enhance connectivity among residential and communal spaces while minimizing ecological disruption.

### Materiality and Sustainability

The material choices are integral to the project's sustainability objectives, utilizing local stone for durability, earth and clay for thermoregulation and rainwater collection, and sustainably sourced wood in structural elements. Permeable paving is implemented in pathways to enhance water infiltration and reduce surface runoff. Sustainable practices are embedded in the design, including rainwater harvesting systems, support for local agriculture, ecological preservation through landscape integration, and community engagement initiatives aimed at promoting social interaction and shared responsibilities around water and food management.

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

`

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