Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Fire-Resistant Units with Corrugated Metal and Timber Frames for Flexible Living

Authors:
Aslı zeynep Dogan, Canberk Kocaoglu, Ecem Kulubecioglu, Helin Bingöl
Fire-Resistant Units with Corrugated Metal and Timber Frames for Flexible Living

Project in-detail

Constructed with fire-resistant materials and a modular design, the units provide adaptable living spaces that cater to contemporary communal and private needs.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular units designed for quick assembly and future reconfiguration.
02
Utilizes fire-resistant materials to enhance safety and durability.
03
Incorporates an interactive online platform for user-defined customization.
04
Strategically balances communal areas with private living spaces.
05
Designed for optimal thermal performance with integrated insulation systems.

The project presented under the brand DE.SET.LI.FE focuses on modular residential design that emphasizes adaptability and personalization. Situated in a context where flexible living arrangements are increasingly important, this initiative offers a solution that empowers individuals to customize their homes according to their preferences. The design integrates prefabricated units that can be quickly assembled, allowing occupants to tailor their living spaces in a way that suits contemporary lifestyles.

Design Concept

The architectural focus is on modularity, allowing for a variety of unit configurations that meet different functional needs. Service units, such as the staircase, circulation, and WC units, fulfill essential roles while improving accessibility within the overall living environment. The layout effectively balances communal areas with private spaces. This arrangement helps residents interact with one another while still enjoying their own privacy.

Materiality

Key materials enhance the structural integrity and environmental efficiency of the design. Corrugated metal sheets create a sturdy facade that is fire-resistant and recyclable. Timber frames provide solid support for the structure, ensuring durability. Fire-resistant gypsum boards contribute to safety across all areas of the building. Rockwool insulation improves the thermal performance, making the units comfortable and energy-efficient. Additionally, steel frame structures with a box profile offer necessary strength to endure diverse weather conditions.

Sustainability Initiatives

Sustainability plays an important role in the project, highlighted by the inclusion of renewable energy systems and water management strategies. These features aim to reduce the environmental impact and promote efficient resource use. The modular design allows for quick assembly while also accommodating future changes in layout. This flexibility caters to the needs of a diverse and mobile population, enhancing the overall livability of the environment.

User Engagement

Residents can engage with the design through an online platform that allows them to define various aspects of their living spaces, such as location, budget, and room types. This approach encourages individuals to take an active role in shaping their homes. By allowing for personalization in the design process, the concept fosters a living experience that integrates both personal comfort and community needs.

The arrangement of common rooms alongside private bedrooms is thoughtfully designed, creating a warm atmosphere that invites social interaction while maintaining a sense of individual space.

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