Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Elevated Living Through Courtyards and Community Gardens

Authors:
Aisan Alizadeh, Reyhaneh Shariat zadeh, Kianoush Vali, Hassan Salimi
Elevated Living Through Courtyards and Community Gardens

Project in-detail

Inspired by traditional Iranian villages, the design utilizes elevation to maximize land use while integrating courtyards and community gardens to create an accessible and sustainable residential environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevation inspired by historic Iranian villages optimizes land use.
02
Integrated courtyards enhance community interactions and biodiversity.
03
Private gardens promote self-sufficiency through vegetable cultivation.
04
Variety of residential typologies accommodates diverse family needs.
05
Climatic considerations minimize energy consumption during cold winters.

The design located in Melbourne addresses the need for affordable housing in a city with a diverse population and limited space. The main idea behind the design is to encourage community interaction and improve the quality of life through well-organized living spaces. By placing essential services within the residential setting, the design promotes daily connections among residents.

Community Integration

The approach focuses on bringing people together by placing services like stores, gyms, and kindergartens on the ground floor. This layout helps reduce travel time for residents and makes access to needed services easier. The arrangement supports an active community where people can engage in daily activities without venturing far from home.

Residential Typologies

Various housing types are included to meet the needs of different family sizes and demographics. This diversity allows for a community that feels inclusive. Each unit is designed with private outdoor spaces, such as yards for growing vegetables. These gardens contribute to sustainability and foster connections among residents, encouraging them to interact and collaborate.

Historical Context

The design takes cues from historic villages in Iran, like Masule, which used elevation effectively. By organizing homes vertically, the design addresses the challenge of limited land in Melbourne. This method helps free up ground space for community use and green areas, creating a livable environment that respects local traditions while addressing modern needs.

Climatic Considerations

Attention is also given to Melbourne's cold winters. By keeping the housing compact, the design reduces exposure to the elements, which improves energy efficiency and comfort. This careful consideration of climate plays a crucial role in ensuring that residents can enjoy warmth and shelter throughout the year.

At the heart of the design are communal areas such as courtyards and gardens, which function as social hubs. These spaces encourage residents to gather, fostering relationships and creating a sense of belonging within the community.

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