Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Cultivating Vines on Woven Bamboo: A Compact Living Solution in Cambodia

Author:
Hiep Mai
Cultivating Vines on Woven Bamboo: A Compact Living Solution in Cambodia

Project in-detail

Woven bamboo creates a living facade that supports vine growth, while a compact, three-level layout provides essential spaces for daily living and meditation in a sustainable residential solution in Cambodia.
5 key facts about this project
01
Woven bamboo creates a dynamic facade for vine cultivation.
02
Three distinct levels separate communal and private areas.
03
Natural ventilation enhances indoor comfort year-round.
04
Wooden structure reflects traditional Cambodian building techniques.
05
Compact footprint optimizes land use in rural settings.

"The Vine Hut" is located in Cambodia, a country rich in history and culture. The design aims to improve the repetitive nature of rural housing by offering a compact living solution that incorporates essential cultural features. The concept brings together modern ideas and traditional architecture, creating a space that meets daily needs while honoring local heritage.

Design Concept

The layout consists of three levels, each with a specific function. The ground floor focuses on essential living areas, such as the entrance, a dining area, wash basin, bathroom, food storage, and a minibar. This arrangement allows for easy movement and clear distinctions between shared spaces and private areas. A bedroom is situated on the middle floor, while the top level serves as a peaceful meditation and yoga area.

Thermal Performance

The "double skins" construction is a key feature of the design. This method improves comfort by minimizing heat gain during hot months and blocking cold winds in the winter. Natural ventilation is an important aspect, working with the local climate to maintain a pleasant indoor environment. These features show a thoughtful approach to energy efficiency.

Materials and Craftsmanship

Materials are selected for their connection to traditional techniques in the region. The inner structure mainly uses wood, reflecting the craftsmanship found in rural Cambodian homes. The outer layer consists of woven bamboo, which provides protection and serves as a space for growing vines. This choice not only enhances the structure's appearance but also links the home to its surroundings.

Spatial Relationship with Nature

The design creates a notable interaction with the natural environment. By allowing vines to grow on the bamboo facade, the dwelling fosters a sense of liveliness around it. This connection to nature is essential, as it emphasizes the relationship between the built environment and the landscape, enhancing the residence's character and ecological harmony.

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