Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Curved Forms and Local Stone Create a Community Space Emphasizing Sustainable Practices

Authors:
Garegin Yeghoyan, Alexander Vardanyan, Lilit Soghoyan
Curved Forms and Local Stone Create a Community Space Emphasizing Sustainable Practices
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Curved forms of red clay brick and local stone create a sustainable community hub that invites engagement through olive oil tasting and mindful reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Curved architectural forms seamlessly integrate with the site's natural topography.
02
The use of red clay brick enhances thermal performance and aesthetic warmth.
03
Large glass openings promote natural light and connectivity to the surrounding landscape.
04
An underground tasting room utilizes natural cooling for energy efficiency.
05
Multi-functional spaces adapt for community gatherings and private reflection.

### Olive Tree Center Overview

The Olive Tree Center is positioned on a triangular plot that features distinctive topography, designed to function as a communal hub focused on education and recreation centered around olive oil. The architectural approach draws inspiration from the olive tree's cultural and spiritual significance, employing a curved form that facilitates a dialogue between the built environment and its natural context. This design not only respects the local landscape but also enhances the user experience by creating inviting communal spaces.

### Spatial Organization and Functional Layout

The interior layout strategically combines various functional areas while maintaining a strong connection to the outdoors. The ground floor features an entrance that leads into an olive oil tasting room, underscoring the center's thematic emphasis. Surrounding this are adaptable spaces designed for dining and meditation, promoting versatility in use. The plan also includes a basement housing essential services such as storage and restrooms, along with guest accommodations that offer privacy. The circular arrangement of spaces fosters ease of movement, encouraging interaction among visitors and facilitating community engagement.

### Material Selection and Aesthetic Integration

Material choices are integral to the Olive Tree Center’s design, reflecting a commitment to durability and a harmonious relationship with the surrounding environment. The primary materials include red clay brick for warmth, local stone for structural integrity, concrete for its strength, powder-coated steel for contemporary detailing, and glass to maximize natural light. These selections contribute to an aesthetic that aligns with both traditional and modern architectural sensibilities while emphasizing sustainability through the careful consideration of local resources. The curvature of the building enhances not only its visual appeal but also its functional performance by improving drainage and thermal regulation.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

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

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity

Recurring architecture competitions

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
new
Re:Form - 
New Life 
for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

Edition #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 2 October 2025
Hospice - 
Home for the 
Terminally ill

Design a safe and supportive space to those struggling with a terminal illness

Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 10,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 9 October 2025
new
The Architect’s 
Stair

Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 15 October 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 16 October 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025
The Last 
Nuclear Bomb Memorial

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Edition #6 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 13 November 2025
Concrete 
Pavilion

Design a concrete pavilion

Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #7 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025

Media, partners and clients

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