Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Living Green Wall and Reclaimed Oak in a Vertical Micro Residence

Author:
Jay Dragon
Living Green Wall and Reclaimed Oak in a Vertical Micro Residence

Project in-detail

A living green wall enhances the facade while reclaimed oak flooring offers warmth in a compact, vertical residence designed for urban living in Chicago.
5 key facts about this project
01
Living green wall supports grey water purification.
02
Flush-glaze walkable skylights maximize natural light.
03
Modular furniture adapts for multifunctional use.
04
Vertical layout enhances available living space.
05
Reclaimed oak flooring adds warmth and sustainability.

The FulFill Home showcases a thoughtful response to urban density, situated in a narrow alleyway in Chicago, IL. It aims to redefine the idea of residential living in limited space while addressing the changing needs of city dwellers. With influences from compact living solutions found in Tokyo and Amsterdam, the design focuses on vertical expansion and modularity to create a functional and adaptable environment.

Architectural Concept

The design center focuses on maximizing vertical space. The layout allows the FulFill Home to fit between two neighboring buildings, using a narrow floor plan that extends upward. This approach enables the building to provide essential comforts found in larger urban homes while promoting efficient use of spatial resources. Multi-functional living areas are integrated to adapt to the various needs of residents, making the space flexible and versatile.

Natural Lighting and Energy Efficiency

Natural light significantly contributes to the atmosphere of the home. Flush-glaze walkable skylights are included to bring daylight into the interior spaces. This design choice minimizes the need for artificial lighting and enhances the livability of the home. Additionally, passive design strategies further support energy efficiency, featuring an integrated sloped roof and operable skylights that optimize solar gain, especially in a temperate climate.

Sustainability Features

A prominent feature of the FulFill Home is the living green wall, which adds visual interest while also serving a functional purpose. It helps purify grey water through a recycled system, originating from rooftop vegetation. Incorporating this feature highlights a commitment to environmental consciousness within the overall design. The use of modular furniture also supports adaptability, such as a desk-to-bed module that responds to the varying needs of daily living.

Material Choices

Material selection, while not elaborated on in detail, includes dual-pane glass windows that enhance energy efficiency and reclaimed oak wood flooring. These materials contribute to the design's functionality and overall aesthetic, aligning with sustainability goals while offering a warm, inviting quality to the living space.

The layout carefully organizes distinct areas such as living/dining, kitchen, laundry, bath, sleep, study/sleep, closet, terrace, green wall, and roof deck. This arrangement addresses the needs of urban living effectively. The living green wall, in particular, stands out as both a functional and aesthetic element, emphasizing a connection between nature and urban 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