Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Passive Cooling Architecture Utilizing Adobe And Renewable Materials For Sustainable Living

Authors:
William Patrick Ross, Seyedeh Mojgan Sadat Akhavani
Passive Cooling Architecture Utilizing Adobe And Renewable Materials For Sustainable Living

Project in-detail

Utilizing locally sourced adobe and an integrated passive cooling system, this design addresses food insecurity and community needs through modular housing that encourages sustainable agriculture in the Sahara.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes locally sourced adobe for thermal mass and climate resilience.
02
Incorporates wind towers for natural ventilation without mechanical systems.
03
Features modular construction for adaptability as community needs change.
04
Integrates a greywater recycling system to conserve water resources.
05
Design emphasizes community farming spaces to enhance local food production.

### Overview
The project located in Chad addresses food insecurity in the Sahara Desert, particularly due to the challenges posed by its arid climate and an influx of refugees from Sudan. The initiative seeks to provide sustainable housing solutions that empower displaced populations to cultivate food on site, merging traditional architecture with modern sustainable technologies crafted for the local context.

### Sustainable Design Framework
The architectural design emphasizes a sustainable approach through the use of locally-sourced materials and modular housing units that foster community engagement. Integration of adobe brick, sourced from local clay, along with other materials like wood and PVC, ensures a low environmental impact and supports local economies through labor utilization. The layout promotes communal farming areas, enhancing food production capabilities within the community and encouraging social interaction.

### Innovative Architectural Features
Key features of the design include a wind tower that facilitates natural ventilation, significantly improving indoor comfort in high temperatures. Solar panels on the rooftops harness renewable energy to power the homes, reflecting a commitment to sustainability. Moreover, the design incorporates space-efficient elements such as multifunctional furniture and flexible unit configurations that adapt to diverse needs. A slimline water collection system further enhances resource efficiency through greywater recycling, aligning with the overall goal of resilience in a challenging environment.

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