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Green Courtyards Framing Open Spaces in a Geometric Community Home

Authors:
Julian Beqiri, Nerina Baçi, Isra Hyka, Gridi Himçi
Green Courtyards Framing Open Spaces in a Geometric Community Home

Project in-detail

Openings carved into a robust outer wall create a dynamic interaction with the surrounding landscape, while green courtyards and geometric forms invite communal living in a sustainable community home.
5 key facts about this project
01
The outer wall incorporates multiple openings of varying sizes to enhance light and views.
02
Small courtyards between structures provide intimate outdoor spaces for residents.
03
Geometric forms create a dynamic relationship between different living areas.
04
The design promotes spontaneity in pedestrian movement throughout the community.
05
Landscaping includes vineyards, enriching the residential experience and environment.

The design focuses on creating a community environment through thoughtful spatial organization. Located within the Spirala Ecological Village, the project emphasizes the relationship between buildings and nature. Using simple geometric shapes like squares and circles, the design promotes spaces that encourage interaction among residents and a sense of belonging.

Geometric Composition

The arrangement is defined by the interplay of two primary forms: the square and the circle. This layout allows for a sense of movement and flexibility within the environment. The outer wall serves as a strong boundary, enclosing a more open and transparent circular area. This arrangement fosters a connection between different spaces and enhances the experiences shaped by light and surrounding views.

Exterior Engagement

The outer wall features several openings in different sizes, creating a lively connection with the landscape outside. Each opening frames views while allowing natural light to fill the inner areas. Small courtyards, placed between the outer wall and the inner space, serve as intimate zones that enhance the interaction between inside and outside. This design promotes comfort and usability throughout various seasons.

Master Plan Integration

The master plan illustrates how built elements work with the natural environment. A carefully planned parking road connects the community home to existing agricultural structures and surrounding functional areas, following the natural contours of the land. This layout organizes space efficiently and encourages pedestrian pathways that promote community interaction and engagement.

Environmental Context

Located in the central part of the site, the community home is surrounded by lush landscapes, including vineyards and gentle hills. This context enriches the overall experience for residents, providing opportunities for various activities and visual enjoyment. The thoughtful placement of buildings within their environment allows for connections between residents and the outdoors, promoting exploration and a vibrant community life.

Attention to design details is evident in the way the inner circular space interacts with the outer wall, creating a boundary that enriches the flow of light and air.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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

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