Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Porous Walls and Pink Hues in a Wetland Educational Center

Authors:
Frederic Champagne, Bao tram Quach
Porous Walls and Pink Hues in a Wetland Educational Center

Project in-detail

Light-colored sand and pinkish hues define an educational facility that merges porous walls with the natural landscape of a wetland, promoting biodiversity while enhancing visitor engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Porous walls allow for wildlife nesting throughout the structure.
02
The cross-shaped plan enhances views of the adjacent wetland.
03
Light-colored sand and pinkish hues reflect the local landscape.
04
Passive shading techniques improve energy efficiency and visitor comfort.
05
Design incorporates educational spaces to promote ecological awareness.

The design at Al-Wathba Wetland Reserve integrates built forms with the natural landscape. Located in an area rich in ecological diversity, the facility serves educational and recreational purposes. Its design concept emphasizes a careful balance between open areas and enclosed spaces, using a cross-shaped plan that tilts slightly off-axis to create engaging experiences for visitors.

Geometric Configuration

The cross plan is central to the overall structure, facilitating both functionality and visitor experience. The slight tilt of the building introduces dynamic volumes, allowing for interesting connections with the natural surroundings. This orientation enhances sightlines, enabling users to engage with the landscape and appreciate the various habitats within the wetland.

Material Considerations

Material choices in the design are closely linked to the environment. Light-colored sand and pinkish hues draw inspiration from the local landscape. The porous walls provide nesting opportunities for local wildlife, reflecting an approach that values aesthetics and biodiversity. This connection to materials fosters a relationship between the architecture and its ecological context.

Functional Arrangement

The internal layout of the building encourages interaction. Spaces such as the information center and café are positioned to promote engagement among visitors. This arrangement ensures a smooth transition between informative experiences and opportunities to observe the wetlands. Clear sightlines to the nature reserve enhance educational aspects while reinforcing a connection to local ecology.

Sustainable Design Elements

The design incorporates passive temperature control through strategic shading from opaque elements, which create shadows on the glazed façades. This feature not only improves energy efficiency but also contributes to visitor comfort. By focusing on sustainable practices, the design responds effectively to its environment, fostering a balance between architecture and nature.

The building’s unique configuration allows natural light to enter while providing shelter, enhancing the atmosphere within and giving visitors an inviting way to connect with the wetlands.

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