Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Flexible Walls Enhancing Natural Light in Urban Living Spaces

Author:
Jaehyeon Kim
Flexible Walls Enhancing Natural Light in Urban Living Spaces

Project in-detail

Manually adjustable walls define the living spaces, optimizing sunlight access and creating a shared communal area within a densely populated urban environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Manually adjustable walls allow residents to control light and privacy.
02
An inner court serves as a shared space for natural light and social interaction.
03
Focus on enhancing community engagement in a densely populated area.
04
Design prioritizes both individual quiet spaces and communal experiences.
05
Strategic layout promotes connection with nature in an urban environment.

The setting in Bangbae, Seoul, presents significant challenges due to high urban density. In this busy environment, homes are often closely packed and connected by narrow paths. The design aims to create a livable space that integrates natural light while promoting community interaction. It seeks to address common issues faced by urban residents, such as lack of sunlight, noise, and privacy concerns, ultimately improving daily life.

Inner Court Integration

The heart of the design features an inner court, designed to be the main source of light for surrounding living spaces. This central area allows sunlight to enter freely, establishing a connection between the residents and nature. By facilitating natural light, the inner court offers a shared space where occupants can interact with each other and with their surroundings.

Flexibility of Space

One notable aspect is the ability to adjust the walls that line the inner court. Residents can manually rotate these walls, changing how light flows into their homes and how the boundaries between inside and outside are defined. This flexibility enables individuals to respond to varying needs throughout the day and different seasons. It encourages a close relationship with both the living space and the outdoor environment.

Spatial Organization

The layout is carefully designed to provide privacy while also fostering social interaction. Each living unit maintains quiet areas for personal retreat, while the central court encourages community engagement and sharing of light. This design ensures that residents have the chance to enjoy solitude as well as the opportunity to connect with neighbors.

At the edges of the inner court, the varying qualities of light and shadow create an engaging environment that shifts throughout the day, enriching the living experience for all residents.

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