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Mudbrick Structure With Biophilic Design That Supports Community Wellbeing

Authors:
Anna Boroka Grosz, Viktor Norbert Racz, Peter Zilahi, Lilla Kovács
Mudbrick Structure With Biophilic Design That Supports Community Wellbeing

Project in-detail

Utilizing locally sourced mudbrick and wood, the design fosters a connection to nature while ensuring functional spaces that support the health and wellbeing of its inhabitants.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using recycled mudbrick, emphasizing ecological responsibility.
02
Features vertical wooden slats for passive ventilation and privacy.
03
Incorporates vegetable fiber in mudbrick to enhance structural strength.
04
Designed with slanted roofs to optimize water runoff and solar exposure.
05
Includes community garden spaces to promote outdoor engagement and wellbeing.

### Overview

Located in a verdant landscape characteristic of Central and Eastern Europe, the project reinterprets traditional mudbrick construction techniques. This design aims to create sustainable living spaces that respect cultural heritage while addressing modern needs. It specifically considers the well-being of its inhabitants, a young couple managing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), by fostering an environment conducive to mental health.

### Spatial Configuration and Material Use

The architectural layout employs a wooden frame with slanted roofs to maximize sunlight exposure and efficient water runoff. Vertical wooden slats on the façade facilitate passive cooling and ensure privacy, contributing to an enhanced interior climate without relying on mechanical systems. Inside, adaptable living areas, alongside essential kitchen and bathroom zones, cater to personal preferences while harnessing natural light to reduce energy consumption.

The use of locally sourced materials is central to the project’s philosophy. Mudbricks, crafted from recycled materials, exemplify eco-friendliness and local heritage. Wood serves as the structural backbone, imparting warmth while maintaining integrity. Vegetable fiber is integrated into the mud mixture for improved insulation, while glass elements enable natural light diffusion, establishing visual connectivity with the landscape.

### Environmental Integration and User-Centric Design

The building's placement within a lush grassland fosters a strong link to the natural surroundings, aiming to minimize ecological impact and support biodiversity. The design encourages the cultivation of adjacent vegetable gardens, further enhancing the relationship between the inhabitants and their environment.

Sensitive to the needs of individuals with health challenges, the architecture promotes mental and physical wellness through its design. Natural light, open spaces, and access to outdoor areas for gardening are intentional features that provide therapeutic benefits and endorse engagement with nature, illustrating a commitment to health-conscious design principles within the structure.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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

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