Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Interconnected Modular Units Featuring SIP and ACP in Urban Living

Author:
Edvinas Vygontas
Interconnected Modular Units Featuring SIP and ACP in Urban Living

Project in-detail

Constructed using interconnected modular units made from Structural Insulated Panels and Fire-Resistant Aluminum Composite, this affordable housing initiative in Melbourne addresses urban living needs with a focus on efficiency and community integration.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes off-site fabricated Structural Insulated Panels for quick assembly.
02
Features Fire-Resistant Aluminum Composite for enhanced safety.
03
Provides flexible configurations to accommodate various family sizes.
04
Incorporates interconnected units to foster community engagement.
05
Designed to optimize thermal efficiency and reduce energy consumption.

The design focuses on creating affordable housing in Melbourne, seeking to address the need for accessible living options in urban settings. It emphasizes modularity and adaptability, accommodating a range of occupants from single individuals to small families. Utilizing prefabricated units allows for efficient construction and promotes community interactions among residents.

Material Utilization
The design includes Structural Insulated Panels (SIP), which are produced off-site, ensuring both thermal efficiency and structural soundness. This choice supports a sustainable approach to construction. In addition, Fire-Resistant Aluminum Composite (ACP) Panels are used for the exterior, offering durability alongside a modern look. Interior plywood sheets are incorporated to enhance livability, providing a warm and practical environment for residents.

Modular Configuration
The size of the housing units ranges from 20 square meters for individuals to 53 square meters for small families. This variety allows for flexibility in meeting different demographic needs. The modular design enables units to be connected, resulting in larger living spaces suitable for extended families. This configuration underscores a commitment to inclusivity in urban housing.

Community Integration
The overall layout is carefully planned to balance privacy with opportunities for social interaction. Organizing the units in a way that encourages neighborly connections reflects a thoughtful approach to urban living. This design maximizes the use of space while fostering a sense of community among residents in a busy urban area.

Design details feature clean lines and harmonious elements that fit within the urban landscape. The proportions of the modular units create an inviting exterior that blends functionality with a contemporary architectural style.

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