Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Cork Walls and Transparent Facades Elevate a Communal Sanctuary Amidst Nature

Authors:
Martyna Wróbel, Zofia Gmerek
Cork Walls and Transparent Facades Elevate a Communal Sanctuary Amidst Nature

Project in-detail

Elevated above the ground and constructed with cork walls and expansive glass facades, the design fosters a seamless connection with nature while providing communal spaces for wellness and reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated cuboidal structures minimize ground disturbance while enhancing panoramic views.
02
Cork wall construction provides natural insulation and sustainable material choice.
03
Bridges connect the cuboids, facilitating movement without disrupting the landscape.
04
Extensive glass facades create a seamless indoor-outdoor experience.
05
Design integrates communal spaces to promote wellness and interaction among users.

### Project Overview
hOMe is situated in Latvia's lush landscapes, designed as a series of elevated cuboidal structures that establish a connection between the individual and the natural environment. The project aims to create a sanctuary for reflection and solitude, promoting an immersive experience in the surrounding beauty while ensuring a sense of security and comfort.

### Spatial Strategy
The design features four distinct cuboids elevated on slender steel columns, creating an ethereal quality and allowing for expansive views of the landscape. Each cuboid is designated for specific functions, including living quarters, a communal kitchen, and a yoga space, facilitating both private and collective experiences. The elevated arrangement enhances circulation through the site, with bridges serving as links between the cuboids while preserving the natural terrain below.

### Materiality and Environmental Integration
The walls of the cuboids are constructed from sustainably sourced cork, chosen for its low environmental impact and thermal performance. This material contributes to the project's ecological responsibility while providing a unique sensory experience. Extensive glazing enhances transparency, connecting the interiors to the environment. The steel framework ensures structural stability without compromising the organic aesthetic. The elevated design minimizes ecological disruption, allowing the natural landscape to thrive beneath the structures, reflecting a thoughtful integration with the site’s fauna and flora.

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