Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Cross-Ventilated Skylights and Terrazzo Floors in Sustainable Desert Habitats

Authors:
Josh Kunkel, Melissa Hosman, Drew Harbour, Beth Kunkel
Cross-Ventilated Skylights and Terrazzo Floors in Sustainable Desert Habitats

Project in-detail

Skylights designed for cross-ventilation complement the sustainable use of mass walls and greywater systems in a desert habitat, creating functional living spaces that foster community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Skylights enhance natural lighting and promote cross-ventilation in living spaces.
02
Mass walls provide passive heating and cooling, adapting to extreme temperature changes.
03
Greywater systems are integrated to irrigate surrounding vegetation efficiently.
04
Designed habitats support local wildlife, specifically addressing the needs of Oryx.
05
The community hub centralizes resources to enhance social interactions among residents.

The project is set in a desert landscape, designed to promote communal living while ensuring privacy and comfort for individuals. Its layout consists of both standard and VIP units, enhancing the experience of living in harmony with the environment. By focusing on sustainability and energy efficiency, the design responds thoughtfully to the challenges posed by the local climate, creating spaces that connect people with nature.

Design Concept

In the standard unit, the design reveals a two-level structure. The first level features an entry foyer that serves as a utility area, providing space for workstations and equipment storage as well as access to washrooms. An indoor gathering area encourages social interactions among residents. Terrazzo flooring is available as a VIP option, while a light wood finish adds an inviting touch to the interior.

Spatial Arrangement

The second level holds a bedroom designed to invite the outdoors in, highlighted by a skylight and terrace that offer opportunities for stargazing. Concrete flooring serves as the standard choice, providing a durable and practical solution for the desert environment. A centrally located bathroom maximizes natural light and facilitates necessary access to systems like the greywater setup, showcasing efficiency in space utilization.

Environmental Considerations

The design takes local wildlife into account, particularly the Oryx, by incorporating habitats that acknowledge their migratory patterns. Strategically placed vegetation ensures sustainable food sources, demonstrating a commitment to environmental balance. This consideration for biodiversity enriches both human and animal experiences in the area.

Community Integration

A community hub plays a crucial role in linking the various spaces, offering areas for social activities. This hub includes a centralized shower facility, which helps optimize resource use, as well as reception and storage areas that enhance the overall functionality of the site. The use of mass walls helps regulate temperature by providing passive heating and cooling, mitigating the extreme temperature variations common in desert climates.

Special attention is given to the design of the roof, featuring openings that allow skylights to promote cross-ventilation. This design detail ensures thermal comfort and reflects a broader commitment to integrating natural systems into everyday living. The careful balance of private and communal spaces underscores a functional and sustainable way of life, making the architecture responsive to both its inhabitants and the surrounding environment.

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