Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Lightweight Steel Framework with Integrated Natural Light for Flexible Living Spaces

Authors:
Yun ching Tseng, Natalie Ng, Jonathan Chan
Lightweight Steel Framework with Integrated Natural Light for Flexible Living Spaces

Project in-detail

Integrating a lightweight steel framework with strategically placed windows, the design maximizes natural light while offering a flexible living and working environment for two individuals.
5 key facts about this project
01
Integrates a floating structure design that enhances the perception of space.
02
Uses prefabrication techniques for easy assembly and transport.
03
Features large windows that guide natural light throughout the interior.
04
Incorporates a modular approach for sustainability and flexibility.
05
Employs thin steel columns to maintain visual transparency and lightness.

The LICHT HOUSE is a residential design focused on providing a comfortable space for two individuals. The project emphasizes the connection between living and working areas, enabling both functions to coexist without losing privacy. Located in an urban environment, the design effectively uses natural light and well-planned spaces to create a welcoming atmosphere that supports daily activities.

Spatial Organization

Inside the LICHT HOUSE, the layout is crafted to optimize natural light, reducing the need for artificial sources. Large windows play a crucial role in this design, allowing daylight to fill the interior. The windows are designed to rise and fall gently, guiding the eye through the home and creating a sense of flow. This arrangement helps to expand the perception of space, making the environment feel larger than it actually is.

Material Selection

The structure incorporates thin steel columns, which help maintain a lightweight appearance. These columns support the home's form while contributing to the overall openness of the interior. By using lightweight materials, the design fosters a light and airy feel, inviting occupants to engage with the outside environment. The careful selection of these materials enhances the user experience within the home.

Modular Design

LICHT HOUSE utilizes prefabrication techniques, making it easier to construct and transport. The design allows the microhome to be unrolled and taken apart when needed. This modular approach supports sustainability, as individual components can be replaced as they wear out. It reflects a modern understanding of living, where flexibility and mobility are increasingly important.

The thoughtful arrangement of windows and the shape of the façade create a visual dialogue between the inside and outside. This detail enriches the living experience, allowing natural light to transform the interior throughout the day. The design fosters a unique environment that encourages the blend of work and home life.

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