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 Timber Cabins with White Fabric for Urban Reflection

Authors:
Santiago manuel Perez asis, Delfina Flores Gabellieri, Darío Emilio Hernando Arevalo
Curved Timber Cabins with White Fabric for Urban Reflection

Project in-detail

Curved structures wrapped in white fabric create a unique meditative space among Tokyo's urban landscape, emphasizing flexibility and community interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Curved forms promote visual fluidity, enhancing spatial perception.
02
White fabric layers act as both acoustic and thermal filters.
03
Modular design allows easy reconfiguration for varying user needs.
04
Natural wood elements reinforce a connection to the environment.
05
Easily transportable structure supports installation in diverse urban settings.

The Reconnection Cabins are located in the dense and irregular landscape of Tokyo. They serve as a place for meditation, allowing users to step away from the busy city life for a moment. The overall design focuses on flexibility within a small space. Curved forms are used to create an environment that feels open and inviting, helping users forget the sharp lines and bright lights of the urban setting.

Design Concept
Curved shapes are central to the design. They not only add visual interest but also enhance the experience of those inside. The gentle curves soften the building's presence and encourage interaction among users. When several cabins are grouped together, they foster a sense of community, making the space not just a retreat but also a gathering point.

Materials
The cabins feature white fabric, which adds warmth and comfort to the interior. This fabric also serves a practical purpose, filtering sunlight and sound, improving the atmosphere inside. Natural wood is another element in the design, connecting the cabins to the natural environment and offering a contrast to the urban surroundings.

Structural Composition
The cabins are built with a framework of curved timbers, which are linked by fabric and metal rods. This structure allows the cabins to move along rails, making them adaptable to various locations. Each cabin component is designed for easy disassembly and reuse, showcasing an approach that values sustainability and efficiency in its construction.

Environmental Considerations
The project highlights sustainability by choosing materials that are recyclable, keeping the environmental impact low. This thoughtful consideration of materials enhances the functionality of the cabins and supports their integration into the urban fabric. They can be relocated when needed, reflecting the changing needs of the city.

The Reconnection Cabins offer a unique design that emphasizes usability and comfort. With their flowing lines and inviting atmosphere, they provide a serene space for introspection amid the complexities of city life.

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
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
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