Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Natural Pine Modules Interacting with the Bog Landscape

Author:
Chad Greenlee
Natural Pine Modules Interacting with the Bog Landscape

Project in-detail

Constructed from locally sourced pine, the visitor center features modular configurations that blend with the Kemeri Bog landscape, providing spaces for education and public engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with a modular system, allowing for flexibility in spatial usage.
02
Incorporates permeable asphalt to manage stormwater runoff effectively.
03
Features a western solar shading design to minimize heat gain.
04
Utilizes locally sourced pine, supporting regional resources and economies.
05
Integrates spaces for both education and public engagement in the landscape.

The Kemeri Bog Visitor Center is designed to enhance visitor experiences in a unique natural landscape. It focuses on ecological sustainability while providing versatile spaces for various functions. The building's overall design concept integrates well with its surroundings, promoting interaction with the diverse wildlife and plant life of the Kemeri Bog.

Modular System

The visitor center features four distinct types of modules. Each module has a different amount of conditioned space. The interior module is fully conditioned and airtight, making it suitable for exhibitions and information sharing. The interior/exterior module is waterproof, with a roof that protects visitors while still allowing them to connect with the outdoor environment.

Spatial Organization

Careful attention is given to how visitors will move through the center. Key entry points include an exterior ticket window and a welcoming park entrance. Access to camping areas is also thoughtfully arranged. These features provide organized paths that encourage easy movement throughout the space and help visitors engage more fully with the offerings available.

Sustainability Features

Sustainable practices are an important part of the design. Energy-efficient lighting controls and permeable asphalt help manage water resources effectively. The building includes strategies for capturing and recycling rainwater, as well as measures taken to protect local plant and animal species in the bog. Western solar shading is incorporated to reduce heat gain, increasing comfort inside the building.

Material Considerations

Locally sourced pine is the main material for the visitor center. This choice reflects a commitment to local resources and supports nearby economies. The use of pine not only ties the building to its environment but also enhances the overall design. The result is a harmonious blend of functional spaces that allows visitors to appreciate both architecture and nature.

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
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
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