Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Concrete Sanctuary Embracing Nature with Bat-Friendly Elements

Authors:
Juan pablo Alarcon romero, Ana sofia Rivera araiza
Concrete Sanctuary Embracing Nature with Bat-Friendly Elements

Project in-detail

Bat-friendly tuck-in windows complement a concrete structure that integrates a dedicated Mindfulness Box, offering artists a reflective space immersed in nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Tuck-in windows enhance wildlife accessibility.
02
The Mindfulness Box encourages solitude for reflection.
03
Concrete walls provide durability and acoustic separation.
04
360-degree views integrate the residence with nature.
05
Open floor plans facilitate artistic collaboration and interaction.

Dialogs Lake House is located in a serene landscape and designed specifically for artists in need of inspiration and a peaceful space for reflection. The overall design encourages a harmonious blend of individual creativity and social interaction. It portrays the idea that inhabiting a space is an active relationship with both the building and the outdoors. The design provides areas for solitary focus and communal gathering, integrating these aspects into everyday life.

Interior Focus Space

The interior focus space is planned to prioritize quiet, privacy, and security, creating an environment that is conducive to creative work. This area allows artists to escape distractions and engage deeply with their projects. The design supports an intimate atmosphere that enhances personal connection with the work being produced, emphasizing the importance of a space dedicated to reflection and concentration.



Exterior Focus Space

In contrast, the exterior focus space is designed to connect residents with the outdoors, promoting independence and active participation in nature. This area encourages interactions with the surrounding environment, which can stimulate creativity and inspiration. Through this thoughtful arrangement, the design reflects a balance between the need for solitude and the benefits of social connection.



Mindfulness Box

A key feature of the design is the Mindfulness Box, a space specifically aimed at contemplation. This area minimizes distractions and features concrete walls that create a protective environment for thought. The box connects directly to nature, reinforcing the idea that time spent in reflection is vital for the creative process. Here, artists can find the mental clarity necessary for their work.



Materiality and Design Elements

Materials are selected to support both function and style. Concrete is used for the Mindfulness Box and workshops, giving these areas a solid and reliable character. Wood elements in the living spaces introduce warmth and comfort, balancing the strength of the concrete. Significant features, such as windows that welcome local wildlife and extensive views of the landscape, highlight the project’s focus on ecological awareness and the desire to connect with nature.

The design encourages a flow between indoor and outdoor spaces. Natural light fills the living areas, elevating the atmosphere. This connection enriches the daily experience of residents and enhances their creative expressions.

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