Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Hanging Greenhouses and Rammed Earth Create a Circular Dining Experience

Author:
Jan Kwan
Hanging Greenhouses and Rammed Earth Create a Circular Dining Experience

Project in-detail

The circular design incorporates hanging greenhouses and a rammed earth core, creating an innovative dining experience that actively connects patrons to the source of their food.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth construction enhances thermal performance and integrates with the landscape.
02
Hanging greenhouses provide on-site food cultivation for the restaurant.
03
The scalloped ceiling design maximizes natural light and adds visual interest.
04
Circular layout promotes an intimate dining atmosphere and efficient circulation.
05
Corrugated aluminum facade contrasts with the earthy textures of the core.

The restaurant features a circular design, carefully set into the landscape. This structure encourages a close connection to nature while providing an intimate atmosphere for dining. The design concept emphasizes the relationship between the built environment and agricultural practice, allowing for an experience that intertwines food and the environment.

Rammed earth core

At the center of the restaurant is a core made of rammed earth. This material offers strength and efficiency. It helps regulate temperature, creating a comfortable indoor climate. Using rammed earth connects the building to the site, showcasing local resources and creating a warm, natural feeling inside.

Hanging greenhouses

Above the main dining area, hanging greenhouses contribute to the restaurant's function. These greenhouses allow for the growth of fresh produce right on site. This design choice connects diners to the food they consume, promoting a greater understanding of the source of their meals. The greenhouses also enhance the aesthetic appeal, bringing greenery into the dining experience.

Scalloped ceiling

The restaurant features a scalloped ceiling, which serves to maximize natural light while creating an interesting spatial quality. This roof structure allows the hanging greenhouses to adjust and optimize conditions for plant growth. The unique shape adds to the overall ambiance, making the space feel dynamic and inviting.

Contrasting materials

The exterior is clad in corrugated aluminum, providing a visual contrast to the earthy texture of the rammed earth core. This choice of materials gives the building a contemporary edge while ensuring it stands up to weathering over time. The combination of raw, tactile surfaces and sleek, modern finishes helps create a harmonious design that reflects both traditional and modern influences.

The circular layout promotes smooth circulation within the restaurant, allowing for unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape and reinforcing a connection to the environment. This thoughtful interplay of design elements contributes to a unique dining experience, deeply rooted in sustainability and local agricultural practices.

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