Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Framed Views and Natural Materials in a Community Retreat

Authors:
Aleksandra Borzecka, Ida Röstlund
Framed Views and Natural Materials in a Community Retreat

Project in-detail

Elevated structures with framed views of the landscape utilize natural materials to create a community retreat focused on wellness and reconnection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated structures minimize site impact while preserving the natural landscape.
02
Framed views encourage mindfulness and deeper engagement with the environment.
03
Local craftsmanship is integrated into every phase of the construction process.
04
Natural materials promote sustainability and enhance the tactile experience.
05
The design emphasizes wellness through both communal and private spaces.

Blue Clays is an architectural retreat designed to help people reconnect with nature, relationships, and themselves. Situated in a calm setting, the project addresses the disconnection that many experience in daily life. It provides a dedicated space for healing the body and mind, focusing on the importance of engaging with the natural environment. The design concept balances communal spaces with areas for personal reflection, inviting guests to immerse themselves in their surroundings.

Conceptual Framework

The core idea is to create spaces that foster both social interaction and individual contemplation. The layout is carefully organized to promote mindfulness, offering a range of environments that cater to different experiences. This thoughtful arrangement allows guests to find both energetic engagement and peaceful solitude in proximity to nature.

Spatial Organization

The design incorporates volumes inspired by traditional architectural forms, merging cultural influences with contemporary needs. Attention to site orientation and spatial arrangement enhances the connection between occupants and the landscape. Views are framed to highlight the surrounding beauty, encouraging guests to pause and reflect, deepening their bond with the environment.

Material and Community Engagement

Natural materials are central to the construction of Blue Clays, reinforcing the theme of environmental awareness. The focus on using locally sourced materials encourages collaboration with local craftsmen and involves the community in the building process. This not only supports the local economy but also strengthens the connection to the setting, creating a sense of ownership among those who participate.

Sustainability and Impact

The design considers the longevity of materials, ensuring that components can be reused or biodegraded after their lifecycle. Elevating structures off the ground helps reduce impact on the site, preserving the natural landscape. These design details reflect a commitment to sustainability and allow the architecture to exist in harmony with the environment, enhancing the experience for all who visit through its unobtrusive presence.

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