Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Combustion Toilets and Wood Shingles in a Community-Centric Nature Retreat

Author:
Johan Meisel
Combustion Toilets and Wood Shingles in a Community-Centric Nature Retreat

Project in-detail

Using wood shingles and incorporating combustion toilets, the retreat integrates sustainable practices with its design, promoting community interaction while immersing visitors in the surrounding natural landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes wood shingles that weather naturally to blend with the environment.
02
Features combustion toilets for sustainable waste management.
03
Incorporates a circular cafeteria design that encourages social interaction.
04
Strategically positioned near existing trees for enhanced natural integration.
05
Designed with careful consideration of the ecological context and visitor experience.

The project is set near a tranquil bog, which can be reached by a small gravel road winding through a thick forest. This setting allows visitors to leave behind the busy city and immerse themselves in nature. Comprising three distinct wooden buildings, the design connects each structure’s form and purpose to the landscape, highlighting the importance of the site’s ecological features.

Entrance Structure

The entrance building features a pointed design that welcomes visitors into the area. This shape draws attention and enhances the threshold experience. Surrounding trees contribute to this feeling, marking the transition from urban space to the natural world. This thoughtful design choice makes it clear that visitors are entering a more tranquil environment.

Cafeteria Design

The cafeteria is strategically located in a sunny spot next to a birch tree, creating a pleasant atmosphere. Its round shape encourages openness and invites people to gather. Clear views of the surrounding landscape are prioritized, allowing guests to enjoy their surroundings while they eat. This design fosters connections among visitors, making it a central social space.

Functional Arrangement

The serving functions are organized within a square building that helps keep the layout clear and efficient. This design maintains an open feel in the areas around the entrance and cafeteria, allowing easy movement for visitors. The choice to distance the car park from the main structures supports a peaceful atmosphere where people can relax and connect with nature.

Materiality and Sustainability

Wood shingles are used for the facades, which link the buildings to traditional practices found in the region. This choice not only leads to a durable exterior but also allows the material to weather naturally, further blending the buildings into the landscape. Sustainability is an important aspect of the design, evident in the use of combustion toilets and systems for collecting rainwater, making responsible use of available resources a priority.

The combination of these elements creates a harmonious balance between the buildings and the environment. The visitor experience is enriched by a sense of connection to nature while engaging with a design that serves both function and context.

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