Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Gabion Walls and Recycled Concrete Redefine Sustainable Housing Solutions for Community Resilience

Authors:
Swee Yew Yong , Anastasiia Bushkova, Stephan Shen Yizhe
Gabion Walls and Recycled Concrete Redefine Sustainable Housing Solutions for Community Resilience

Project in-detail

Utilizing gabion walls and recycled concrete, the design transforms existing prefabricated structures into resilient housing that fosters community interaction and environmental sustainability.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes gabion walls constructed from local recycled materials for enhanced sustainability.
02
Incorporates underground bomb shelters to address community safety needs.
03
Features modular housing designs that adapt to varying family sizes and needs.
04
Integrates thermal insulation for improved energy efficiency in the climate.
05
Includes landscaped communal spaces to promote social interaction among residents.

## Analytical Report on Project FIN-IX: Architectural Design for Kharkiv Prefab Panel Housing

### Overview
Project FIN-IX addresses the socio-economic challenges in Kharkiv, Ukraine, where existing prefabricated housing fails to meet the community's needs. This initiative seeks to reconfigure and revitalize these structures to improve residential quality and enhance community resilience. The design is intricately linked to its geographical context and aims to respond effectively to the complexities faced by the local population, particularly in light of ongoing political and environmental uncertainties.

### Spatial Organization and Community Engagement
The architectural strategy emphasizes a balanced integration of public and private spaces to facilitate community interaction while ensuring individual privacy. Key features include modular housing units designed for flexibility, enabling users to adapt their living arrangements as required. Outdoor communal areas, including landscaped gardens and pavilions, are thoughtfully incorporated to encourage social engagement among residents. In addition, the inclusion of essential safety features, such as underground shelters, enhances the resilience of the living environment by providing secure refuge during emergencies.

### Material Selection and Sustainability Focus
The design's structural integrity is supported by strategic material choices, which prioritize sustainability and local sourcing. Gabion walls constructed from recycled concrete and natural materials offer both stability and insulation. A layer of thermal insulation is incorporated to enhance energy efficiency, complementing the gabion exterior. Reinforced concrete serves as the principal structural element, ensuring durability with minimal maintenance. This conscientious approach to materiality not only reduces environmental impact but also fosters a connection between the architecture and the surrounding context, reflecting the project’s commitment to sustainability.

### Accessibility Measures
The design incorporates specific enhancements for accessibility, facilitating ease of movement throughout public spaces. Dedicated pathways and configurations ensure that all residents, regardless of mobility challenges, can navigate the environment effectively. This focus on inclusivity contributes to a sense of belonging and community ownership among the residents of Kharkiv.

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