Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Hexagonal Lodges with Aluminum Structures in a Desert Oasis

Authors:
Shariq Ishaque, Haoran Wang
Hexagonal Lodges with Aluminum Structures in a Desert Oasis

Project in-detail

Offering hexagonal lodges constructed from aluminum and integrating a Common Hub, the design provides flexible and sustainable living spaces within the ecological context of a desert environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Hexagonal units enhance spatial efficiency and aesthetic diversity.
02
Aluminum structures provide resilience against desert conditions.
03
The Common Hub serves as a multifunctional communal space.
04
Flexible configurations allow for personalized living experiences.
05
Operable windows facilitate cross ventilation and comfort.

The project is situated within the Arabian Oryx Protected Area in the UAE, aiming to create a sustainable living environment that works in harmony with the surrounding landscape. This design emphasizes flexibility for visitors, allowing them to customize their living spaces. By offering movable structures, it encourages a deeper connection to the unique ecological setting while ensuring residents remain comfortable and protected from natural elements.

Common Hub

A key feature of the design is the Common Hub, which serves as a communal space for social interaction. This structure draws inspiration from traditional desert buildings, presenting a familiar form that fits well into its environment. Inside, it provides essential functions such as dining areas and spaces for gathering, along with the main water supply for the lodges. The open layout promotes connections among guests, making it a central part of the community experience.



Standard Lodge

The standard lodge is built with a simple rectangular shape and includes basic living accommodations like a closet and bathroom. Its design allows for easy transport and assembly, making it well-suited for the desert climate. This flexible approach ensures the structure can withstand strong winds from sandstorms. Additionally, operable windows improve ventilation, helping maintain comfort in the harsh surroundings.



VIP Lodge

The VIP lodge, on the other hand, takes a hexagonal form to create a more spacious living area. This design also follows a folding and attaching method to simplify transportation and assembly. The unique shape allows for various configurations with other lodges, catering to individual preferences while fostering a sense of community. The VIP lodge is equipped for comfort, providing dedicated areas for relaxation and activity.



In terms of materials, stone is used for the Common Hub, enhancing its durability and tying it to traditional building practices. The lodges, both standard and VIP, are constructed from aluminum, which provides necessary strength for the structures. The choice of materials reflects the goal of balancing functionality and aesthetic appeal within the environmental context. Roof details include skylights that invite natural light into the spaces, creating a brighter atmosphere while connecting the indoor and outdoor environments.

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